HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (December 17, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team dropped an in-state road contest Wednesday evening with a 72-57 defeat to Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Ala.
Alabama A&M (4-7) secured the home win using a strong second-half rally. North Alabama (5-5) jumped out to an early lead in the first, maintaining its advantage into the halftime break. The Bulldogs used their highest scoring quarter in third to retake the lead and fended off the Lions in the fourth.
The Lions were led on offense by sophomore Sofia Ceppellotti and senior Alexsandra Alvarado with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Ceppellotti was an efficient 5-9 from the field while going 3-6 from three. The forward also secured her fourth double-digit scoring outing of the season. Alvarado did her damage from behind the arc, scoring all 12 points from three pointers.
Ceppellotti additionally led the Lions in rebounding with seven on the night. Graduate Bukky Akinsola had a game-high five assists, and senior India Howard tied her career high with four steals.
The first quarter started lightning fast for UNA en route to a 10-point lead at 20-10. UNA came out the gates strong with a 72.7 percent shooting percentage (8-11) while shooting 75 percent from deep (3-4). Ceppellotti was the spark in the opening period with nine points, including a four-point play halfway through. The defense also set the tone, holding the Bulldogs to 18.8 percent shooting (3-16).
The second quarter went in favor of Alabama A&M, outscoring North Alabama 17-11 to trim the UNA lead to 31-27. Senior Alyssa Clutter led the offense for the Lions with six points, including two three-pointers in the period.
The Bulldogs scored 25 points in the third quarter, retaking the lead for the first time since the opening period. The two teams went back-and-forth for the majority of the third with Alabama A&M continuing to trim the UNA lead. The Bulldogs retook the lead at the 2:48 mark with Aniya Palmer's layup giving Alabama A&M the 47-46 advantage. UNA looked to rally back in the fourth with the Bulldogs leading 52-46.
Alabama A&M's offensive surge carried into the fourth, scoring 20 in the fourth period to see the matchup out. The hosts shot 70 percent from the field in the quarter, withstanding a 11-point fourth from the Lions. UNA came within five points with the Lions trailing 59-54 with 4:55 left. The Bulldogs held on to finish the game with a 72-57 final score.
UP NEXT
North Alabama has its final non-conference contest Sunday, Dec. 21 against the Missouri Tigers at noon in Columbia, Mo.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
