FLORENCE, Ala. (January 31, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team looks to make it two in a row in weekend action from Florence, as the Lions are set to host the West Georgia Wolves in CB&S Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions continue their homestand with a renewed rivalry from UNA's Division II days, hosting the Wolves in the weekend finale. As former foes in the Gulf South Conference, the programs are set to battle for the first time since the 2017-18 season and first time in Florence since the 2016-17 season. North Alabama took care of business in its last outing versus Queens, winning 87-62.
The game will serve as part of a North Alabama Basketball doubleheader, with UNA Men's Basketball to follow at 7:45 p.m. against Central Arkansas.
In between the two games, UNA will recognize a pair of UNA Hall of Fame coaches — Bobby Wallace and Mike D. Lane — with a special ceremony. Both legendary coaches will be the field namesakes at Bank Independent Stadium.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on the call and Chase Glover as the sideline reporter. The game will also air on WLX Radio with Bryan Neece on commentary. Fans can listen on 98.3 or 103.5 FM in the Shoals or worldwide on the WLX App or website. The "Countdown to Tipoff" radio show begins at 5:10 p.m.
Due to ongoing construction, the basketball parking plan will be revised for the 2024-25 season. Lots A and B will be in the parking lot directly below Flowers Hall. Lot A pass holders will have coned off spots near the staircase. Shuttles will be available to take fans up to the field house lot for entry into CB&S Bank Arena.
Lot C parking will be in the parking lot below the Mitchell Burford Science and Technology Building. Residential Students will have access into Lot C with their hang tags. The public can also park in this lot for $12. Parking at the Bill Jones athletic complex will be unavailable. However, this lot is available as a drop off area near the arena.
GAME 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. West Georgia
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: National Girls & Women in Sports Day Clinic
Game Sponsor: Medical Associates
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels and Chase Glover)
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama worked its way back in the win column on Thursday an 87-62 triumph over the Queens Royals. The Lions warded off the Royals and a 49-minute power outage in CB&S Bank Arena that occurred early in the fourth quarter.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: The Lions, who enter 10-10 overall and 5-4 in ASUN play, made sparks fly with their outing versus the Royals, finishing the contest with the highest team shooting performance of the season so far. UNA shot 51.9 percent from the field, which also marked the fifth time North Alabama shot over 50 percent this season. Charity Gallegos led all scorers with 20 points, also hitting a career milestone with her 1,500th career point in the home victory. Katie Criswell was the second-leading scorer in the contest with 19 points, finishing with another high-scoring outing after a career-high 21 points at Lipscomb on Jan. 25.
SCOUTING WEST GEORGIA: The Wolves cap the weekend against North Alabama, who come into the matchup 8-12 overall and 2-7 in ASUN play. West Georgia comes into Florence after narrowly falling to Central Arkansas last time out, dropping a 67-64 bout to the Sugar Bears on Thursday. The Wolves entered the weekend 10th in the conference standings, with West Georgia picked to finish 11th in the Preseason ASUN Media Poll and 12th in the Coaches Poll. West Georgia is led by third-year head coach, Joanna Reitz.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama and West Georgia meet for the first time since the 2017-18 season, facing each other in the 74th all-time matchup. The Lions lead the series, 39-34. UNA won the last meeting by a 73-64 final in Carrollton, Ga. on Jan. 13, 2018.
THE SECOND UNIT: The Lions enter the week as one of the best teams in scoring from the second unit. North Alabama is ranked first in the conference in bench points per game, averaging 26.4 across 20 games. UNA is also ranked among the top 25 in the NCAA, ranking 25th nationally in bench scoring.
BOUND FOR REBOUNDS: The Lions are first in the Atlantic Sun Conference in total rebounds, averaging 40.6 per game. North Alabama also holds the top spot in rebounding margin (+6.1) and defensive rebounds (28.2 per game). UNA's effort on the glass is also among the top 50 teams nationally, ranking 37th in rebounds per game and 34th in defensive rebounds per game. India Howard (7.0 per game), Jazzy Klinge (6.1) and Alyssa Clutter (5.5) all rank top 20 in the ASUN.
THE BLOCK LIST: In addition to rebounding, North Alabama is among the top ASUN teams in blocked shots. The Lions average 3.1 per game, with India Howard (1.4 per game), Jazzy Klinge (0.5) and Katie Criswell (0.4) all ranking in the top 25 of the conference.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: North Alabama has had two players finish with double-doubles on the season in Howard and Clutter. Howard has four on the season, recently adding two more against Stetson and North Florida. The junior averaged 10 points and 14 rebounds in the two games against the Hatters and Ospreys. Clutter has two on the season with a 14-point, 11-rebound outing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 17 points and 17 rebounds at Bellarmine.
CHARITY'S CASE: Charity Gallegos leads North Alabama in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game to rank 11th in the ASUN. Gallegos has also been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging the fifth-most assists in the ASUN with 3.7 per game. She was named the ASUN Conference's Player and Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 30, 2024 after a 25-7-7 stat line against Bethel.
HOWARD HOLDS IT DOWN: Junior India Howard has had a knack for blocking shots, enforcing her defensive presence with 26 blocks in 19 games. She's currently fourth in the conference in the category with 1.4 blocks per game. Howard is also top 10 in rebounds in the conference, ranking ninth with 7.0 per game.
SUPER CAM: Cameron Jones is having a career year in her third season, with the Broadview Heights, Ohio native averaging a career-high 8.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. Jones has set multiple single-game career highs on the season, including a 17-point performance against Denver and nine rebounds against both Nebraska and Bellarmine.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
