FLORENCE, Ala. (November 10, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2018-19 season following a 66-54 win against Jacksonville State on Monday night inside CB&S Bank Arena.

In a meeting of in-state rivals, North Alabama (3-0) nearly led wire-to-wire to secure the team's first win over Jacksonville State (1-1) since the 1993-94 season. UNA has a 21-19 record against JSU since 1978.

The teams played a near-even first quarter, but the Lions gained the advantage first with the early lead. North Alabama's defense held strong in quarter two, also hitting timely shots to extend the lead into halftime. The third quarter was all North Alabama, outscoring the visitors by double digits to further lengthen the advantage. Jacksonville State attempted a rally in the fourth, but the lead proved too much to overcome.

Graduate guard Bukky Akinsola showed veteran presence by filling the stat sheet in the all-around performance. She scored 10 points on 40 percent shooting to go with team-highs in rebounds (7), assists (5) and steals (5). Her rebounds and steal totals tied her career-high.

Junior Cameron McNamara led the Lions with 15 points on an efficient 54.5 percent field-goal percentage (6-11). The forward earns her third-straight double-digit scoring performance while adding five rebounds and three assists.

Senior Alexsandra Alvarado scored in double-digits for the second straight game with 13 points. The guard totaled UNA's second-most rebounds with six while hitting a team-high three shots from downtown.

Along with Akinsola, senior India Howard and freshman Gabby Jackson tallied seven rebounds for UNA. Four players had a block, including freshman Greta Ramon, junior Katie Criswell, Jackson and Howard.


HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST QUARTER: UNA 19, JSU 15

North Alabama took control first in quarter one with a four-point lead. Both teams got out to solid starts offensively, but the Lions turned it on late to gain the upper hand. UNA used a quarter-ending 9-4 run to head to the second leading 19-15. North Alabama used a team effort offensively with six players contributing points. The defense also showed up early with three blocks in the frame.

SECOND QUARTER: UNA 35, JSU 27

UNA's momentum continued from the first, rolling to an 8-2 run to open the frame. The Lions went 4-5 from the field to open the quarter, forcing an early JSU timeout at the 7:18 mark. North Alabama's defense was the highlight, holding the Gamecocks to 18.2 percent shooting to go with eight steals in the quarter. Jacksonville State was held without a field goal for the final 4:18 as the Lions took a 35-27 halftime lead.

THIRD QUARTER: UNA 55, JSU 36

The second half started defensive until a Lion run opened the offense midway through. Leading 41-32, North Alabama scored six straight to extend to a 47-32 advantage. The offense continued to pour on points, outscoring Jacksonville State 12-4 to end the quarter. Alvarado went off for eight quarter points and nearly matched JSU's nine quarter points as a team. Three-pointers also proved crucial with the Lions hitting four in the frame.

FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 66, JSU 54

North Alabama saw the game out in the fourth, fending off Jacksonville State's relentless rally. The Gamecocks outscored UNA 18-11 in the quarter, but UNA remained comfortably ahead with five points in the quarter from Akinsola and two points each from McNamara, junior Katie Criswell and senior Alyssa Clutter.


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