Next Game:
Queens
1/22/2026 | 6:00 PM
Jan. 22 (Thu) / 6:00 PM
 Queens
JACKSONVILLE (January 17, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women’s basketball team were victorious Saturday afternoon in a hard-fought 83-79 road triumph over Jacksonville in Swisher Gymnasium.
North Alabama (8-9, 3-3 ASUN) concluded its trip in Jacksonville with a thrilling win over the Dolphins (11-5, 3-3 ASUN). The win marked UNA’s third-straight in Atlantic Sun Conference play and 11th all-time over Jacksonville. UNA moves to 11-2 all-time vs. the Dolphins.
Senior Alexsandra Alvarado starred in the matchup, having a program-record scoring outing. She finished with a Division I program-record 37 points on 55.5 percent shooting (10-18). The Richmond, Calif. native also set a DI program record with 13 made free throws on 15 attempts. She was 50 percent from behind the arc (4-8) and stuffed the stat sheet with four assists, three rebounds, three steals and career-high three blocks.
Alvarado was one of four double-digit scorers proving influential in the win. Freshman Gabby Jackson finished second with 15 points and led the team with 12 rebounds for her second season double-double. Senior India Howard and junior Katie Criswell pitched in 10 points to tied for third.
UNA overcame a fast Jacksonville start in the opening period to battle back and take momentum in the second. Defense and efficient scoring from the Lions sent UNA into halftime with a small lead.
A second straight positive quarter had North Alabama still holding its narrow lead with the fourth quarter upcoming. The Dolphins continued their pursuit of the lead with time winding down, but UNA held strong and made timely plays in the clutch.
The most important came through the reigning ASUN Freshman of the Week, with Jackson hitting a go-ahead three with 14 seconds left for the late UNA lead. Late free throws sealed the win over Jacksonville.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: JAX 22, UNA 19
Jacksonville opened with momentum, but North Alabama got into groove late en route to a small Dolphins advantage. Jacksonville’s offense came out firing with a 8-0 run, eventually building a 19-4 lead within the first four minutes. UNA settled in and worked back from the deficit using a steady 43.8 shooting percentage. The Lions tied the game using a 15-0 run at the 1:12 mark, but three more Jacksonville points gave the hosts an early lead.
SECOND QUARTER: UNA 40, JAX 35
North Alabama outscored Jacksonville in the quarter, 21-13, to flip momentum in favor of UNA. The team shot 50 percent from both the field (8-16) and behind the arc (2-4) to head into the half on top. The Lions’ defense also locked down the Dolphins by holding them to 31.3 percent from the field (5-16) and 33.3 percent from deep (1-3). Four steals from UNA also helped secure the advantage after the first 20 minutes.
THIRD QUARTER: UNA 61, JAX 56
The teams were even in quarter scoring (21-21), but efficient UNA offense helped keep the Dolphins at a distance after three. Jacksonville would begin its rally in the period, cutting into the deficit and retaking a one-point lead at the 5:34 mark. North Alabama battled back to take back momentum shooting 60 percent from the field (9-15) and 66.7 percent from three (2-3). Alvarado proved key to the quarter scoring with 10 points on 4-5 from the field.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 83, JAX 79
An eventful final quarter saw the teams go back and forth down to the wire. UNA continued fending off Jacksonville’s rally with key plays from both coming in the final minute. Jacksonville’s Priscilla Williams tied the game at 76 with 26 seconds left. The ensuing Lions’ possession saw Jackson catching and draining a transition three-pointer to put UNA back up 79-76 with 14 seconds remaining. North Alabama held off two Jacksonville possessions and knocked down four free throws to see the contest out in Swisher Gymnasium.
UP NEXT
The Lions look to extend their winning ways next time out vs. Queens, facing the Royals in CB&S Bank Arena on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.