Next Game:
vs. #3 Central Arkansas
3/5/2026 | 6:30 PM CT
Mar. 05 (Thu) / 6:30 PM CT
vs. #3 Central Arkansas
North Alabama advances to the quarterfinal round, taking on No. 3 Central Arkansas on Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.
No. 6 North Alabama (17-13) punched its ticket to the next round, earning the win with sound defense and timely plays on offense. The two teams split the opening quarters, with UNA taking the first and Queens winning the second.
The Lions had a big offensive boost in the third quarter, retaking the lead heading into the final period. The Royals started fast in the fourth to take a five-point lead, but key plays from seniors Alexsandra Alvarado and India Howard help propel the Lions to the late lead. UNA defended two late possessions in the final 15 seconds to hold on.
UNA’s victory marked the first postseason win under second year head coach Candi Whitaker. It also marked a nearly six-year span since the last UNA postseason win, defeating Stetson to open the ASUN Tournament on March 7, 2020.
Howard was UNA’s leader on offense with 18 points, tallying a double-double with 11 rebounds. Alvarado chipped in 15 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.
Freshman Gabby Jackson had a near double-double with eight points and game-leading 12 rebounds. Sophomore Sofia Ceppellotti and junior Katie Criswell provided timely contributions on offense with nine and seven points, respectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 13, QUC 11
North Alabama won the first quarter using a solid 42.9 percent shooting percentage. Alvarado wasted no time with eight early points, and the Lions found easy buckets with eight points in the paint. UNA’s defense also came to play early by holding Queens to 25 percent shooting (4-16).
SECOND QUARTER: QUC 26, UNA 25
Queens headed into the halftime break with the slim lead, but UNA was still getting solid looks with a 40 percent shooting percentage. Howard’s eight points carried the scoring in the period with four points from Ceppellotti.
THIRD QUARTER: UNA 44, QUC 43
UNA had a electric start in the third period, outscoring the Royals 12-3 to take back momentum. North Alabama shot its highest percentage in the frame with five Lions getting on the scoresheet. UNA also had high-percentage looks from behind the arc, shooting 60 percent from deep (3-5).
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 57, QUC 55
The Royals countered UNA’s fast third-quarter start with a opening run of their own. Queens scored the first six points to take a 49-44 lead, but the Lions slowly made their way back in the game. Alvarado (five points) and Howard (2) contributed timely scores in the rally, and Jackson tied the game at 53 with two clutch free throws. Key scores each from Criswell and Howard helped UNA maintain its small cushion, but the Lions needed defense to see the game through. Holding a 57-55 lead, North Alabama defended two possessions with the Royals frantic for a tying score. Both attempts fell short, and the Lions advanced into the quarterfinal.
To view the updated bracket and other tournament information, click here.
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