2007-08 SEASON WRAP-UP

The journey of the 2007-08 University of North Alabama men’s basketball team was one that will be hard to forget. Not because of the 27-9 record, the Gulf South Conference East Division Championship or the NCAA South Regional Championship, but because of the many players who contributed and were a part of the wonderful journey.

They are from four different states and three different continents. They include a fifth- year senior, a 25-year old junior and a first-year freshman who just turned 19. They are majoring in computer science, psychology, education and business. They finished fourth in the nation in scoring yet didn’t have a player who cared about scoring. Nine different players earned their way into the eleven different starting lineups. Five players averaged double-digit scoring for the season, one player recorded a triple-double and eight players scored over 10 points in a game.

Despite all of their different backgrounds, characteristics and diversities, this team had the chemistry that contributed to one of the best seasons in over a decade at UNA.
Sure, this team had some very good players (Casey Holt GSC East Division Player of the Year, Quinn Beckwith 1st Team All-GSC, Thomas Fraise MOP NCAA South Regional Tournament, and Kenny Johnson NCAA South Regional All-Tourney), but this team also had its fair share of role players. All of them contributed to the journey that took UNA fans to Hoosier Land, Disney World and the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The camaraderie these players displayed both on and off the floor gave UNA fans something to cheer about and brought fans back to Flowers Hall. Many would have us remember the final game (Bentley 102-UNA 92) of the season and would like to highlight the leading scorers and rebounders. I would suggest we focus on the journey and all those, no matter their stature, who made up the wonderful journey.

Seniors
Quinn Beckwith
Casey Holt
Thomas Morris

Juniors
Andrew Chesney
Phil Collins
Joe Deegan
Thomas Fraise
Ike Gay
Kenny Johnson
Dusko Stojnic

Sophomore
Doug Hunter

Freshman
Trent McCants

Coach Cord Wright
Coach Goran Secerovic
Coach Bobby Champagne

03.22.08

TELEVISION SCHEDULE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- All seven games in the upcoming NCAA, Division II Men's Basketball Championship Elite Eight will be telecast, it was announced recently.

The national quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 26 will be streamed live on the internet via NCAASports.com. The national semifinals on Thursday, March 27 will be telecast on the CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV).

The national championship game, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EDT/11:30 a.m. PDT Saturday, March 29 will be telecast on the CBS Network.

03.19.08

LIONS HEADED TO ELITE EIGHT AFTER 97-75 WIN OVER BENEDICT IN SOUTH REGION TITLE GAME

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LAKELAND, Fla., - The University of North Alabama men's basketball team saved its best performance at the South Region Tournament for the championship game Tuesday evening, defeating Benedict 97-75 to claim the school's eighth regional title.

Thomas Fraise scored 25 of his game-high 30 points in the second half and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player as the Lions overcame a 41-35 half-time deficit to advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

After a one-point win over Christian Brothers and an overtime victory against Ouachita Baptist in the first two rounds, there was little drama in the closing minutes at Jenkins Field House on the Florida Southern campus. In the second half, back-to-back three-point shots by Fraise erased the six-point deficit before the Lions used a 27-10 run to take control of the game. The 22-point win represented the largest margin of victory UNA has ever had in the NCAA tournament.

Five players reached double figures in scoring as the Lions (27-8) hit 56 percent from the floor and held BC to just 3-of-20 from three-point range. UNA hit 13 shots from three-point range, and got five three-pointers from Quinn Beckwith, who finished with 16 points. Isaac Gay added 15 for the Lions, while all-tournament selections Casey Holt (12 points) and Kenny Johnson (11 points) rounded out the top scorers for UNA.

Fraise became the eighth UNA player to reach the 30-point plateau in an NCAA tournament game as the Lions improved to 30-10 all-time in the big dance, with a 20-4 mark in regional play.

North Alabama will play Northeast Region champion Bentley on Wednesday, March 26 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. The Falcons (33-0) represent one of two undefeated teams at the Elite Eight. Great Lakes Region champion Grand Valley State is also 33-0.

03.17.08

LIONS PLAYING FOR EIGHTH REGIONAL CROWN AND TRIP TO ELITE EIGHT TUESDAY

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The University of North Alabama men's basketball team will be going for its eighth regional championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tuesday night when the Lions take on Benedict College in the South Region Championship Game.

The game, set for a 6 p.m. tipoff, pits the 26-8 Lions against a 28-4 Benedict team that won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular season and post-season championships.

UNA defeated Gulf South Conference foes Christian Brothers (72-71) and Ouachita Baptist (99-93 OT) to advance to the championship game. Benedict, located in Columbia, S.C., destroyed Sunshine State Conference teams Eckerd (70-49) and Tampa (73-59) to advance.

North Alabama has an all-time 7-1 record in regional championship games and has won four of its previous regional titles on the road. UNA's only previous loss in a regional final was to Washburn, 92-73, in 1993-94. The Lions have won previous regional championships in 1986-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1983-84, 1990-91 and 1995-96 and went on to two National Championships in 1978-79 and 1990-91. UNA won the 1978-79 regional in Lakeland on the way to their first national championship. The Lions are 29-10 all-time in NCAA Tournament play, while the Benedict Tigers were 0-5 in NCAA Tournament play prior to this year's regional.

In it's win over Ouachita Baptist on Sunday night, UNA agains used a balanced attack with six players scoring in double-figures.

A win by UNA over Benedict would send the Lions into the Elite Eight on March 26-29 in Springfield, Mass., to take on the winner of the Northeast Region (Assumption vs. Bentley) in the quarterfinals. The national semifinals are set for March 27 and the National Championship Game is March 29 and will be televised live by CBS begining at 2:30 Eastern.

Seven teams that UNA played during the 2007-08 season were selected for the NCAA Tournament and three of those have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Clayton State is in the South Atlantic Region final, Winona State is in the North Central final and Assumption is in the Northeast final. UNA senior Casey Holt of Culleoka, Tenn., needs just 13 points to set a new North Alabama single-season scoring record. Dabbs Earnest has held that mark since 1961-62 when he scored 625 points. Holt currently has 613 this season and ranks 11th in UNA history in career scoring with 1,193 points.

North Alabama's 26 wins this season ranks as the third most in school history. The 1990-91 National Championship team went 29-4, and the 1983-84 Lions that reached the Final Four went 27-7. Bobby Champagne is the third different head coach to take UNA to the NCAA Tournament. Bill Jones was 18-6 in six NCAA appearances, while Gary Elliott was 9-3 in four NCAA trips. Champagne has led UNA to two NCAA regionals and is now 2-1 in NCAA post-season play.

North Alabama won the Gulf South Conference East Division title this season but did not win the GSC Tournament title. UNA also failed to win the GSC championship in both of its previous National Championship seasons in 1978-79 and 1990-91.

03.16.08

UNA HOLDS OFF TIGERS FOR 99-93 VICTORY

LAKELAND, Fla., – Kenny Johnson scored 23 points and dished out eight assists to lead the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team to a 99-93 overtime win over Ouachita Baptist Sunday evening in the semi-finals of the South Regional Tournament in Lakeland, Fla.

For the second straight night, the Lions overcame a deficit in the closing minutes to pull out the win, this time rallying from a seven-point hole to tie the game at 82-82 at the end of regulation. UNA (26-8) outscored the Tigers 17-11 in the extra period to advance to its ninth regional championship game.

The Lions hold a 7-1 record in regional title games and are now 29-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

UNA trailed 80-73 with 1:40 remaining before Johnson connected on a three-pointer to cut the lead to four. The Tigers had an 82-79 lead when another three-pointer by Quinn Beckwith tied the score with 14 seconds remaining and sent the game into overtime.

Less than 24 hours prior to the game, the Lions rallied from a 12-point deficit to knock off Christian Brothers in the opening round. Against OBU, the tables appeared to be turned. UNA led 67-55 with 11:17 remaining before the Tigers used a 20-2 run to take a six-point lead with under five minutes to play.

After Johnson’s three-pointer, UNA got a lay-up from Andrew Chesney to make the score 80-78 with 1:15 remaining. A free throw by the Lions and two foul shots by OBU’s Jaranimo Marks made the score 82-19 to set up Beckwith’s game-tying shot.

In the extra period, the two teams traded baskets early before the Lions took the lead for good on a steal and dunk by Isaac Gay. Johnson hit five straight free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.
Six players reached double digits in scoring for the Lions. Gay scored 19 points on the night, with Casey Holt adding 17 and Beckwith tossing in 14 for UNA.

Thomas Fraise and Chesney rounded out the teams top scorers with 13 and 11 points respectively.

The Lions will play the region’s second-seeded Benedict on Tuesday with the winner advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight the following week in Springfield, Mass. Benedict (28-4) defeated third-seeded Tampa 73-59 in the other semi-final game on Sunday. Tip-off time for the regional final is set for 6 p.m. CST on the campus of Florida Southern College.

03.15.08

UNA LIONS ADVANCE to the SECOND ROUND of NCAA TOURNAMENT

A three-point play by Casey Holt with 21 seconds remaining capped 22-9 run over the final eight minutes and lifted the North Alabama men’s basketball team to a 72-71 come-from-behind victory over Christian Brothers Saturday in the opening round of the 2008 South Region Tournament in Lakeland, Fla.

The Lions (25-8) trailed 62-50 at the 8:09 mark when a three-pointer by Kenny Johnson started the rally. Johnson scored nine points down the stretch, while Holt got seven of his team-high 18, including the game’s final four points to give UNA the lead for just the fourth time in the game.

The final score was not secure until a pair of last-second shots by CBU (22-10) were off the mark, sending the Lions into the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
Thomas Fraise added 17 points for UNA while Johnson had 12 and Quinn Beckwith tossed in 10 on the night.

The one-point victory avenged an 80-69 loss to the Bucs in the semi-finals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament exactly one week earlier. It also gives the Lions a 10-0 record in rematch games this season.

UNA will face Ouachita Baptist Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in semi-final action on the campus of Florida Southern College. The eight-seeded Tigers knocked of the host Moccasins 74-69.

03.10.08

LIONS HEADED TO NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

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FLORENCE -- The University of North Alabama men's basketball team learned late Sunday that its quest for a third NCAA Division II National title will begin in Lakeland, FL, next Saturday against a familiar opponent.

UNA, 24-8 overall, is seeded fourth in the Division II South Regional and will play GSC Tournament champion Christian Brothers (21-9) on Saturday in the tournament hosted by top-seeded Florida Southern. CBU defeated UNA 80-69 in the semifinals of the GSC Tournament on March 8.

Florida Southern (24-8) is seeded first and will play eighth seeded Ouachita Baptist (19-9). Second-seeded Benedict (26-4) will face #7 Eckerd (19-9), third seeded Tampa (20-8) will play #6 Harding (18-12) and UNA will face CBU. The first round games are scheduled for Saturday, March 15. The semifinals are March 16 and the championship games are March 18. The eight regional winners will advance to the Elite Eight in Springfield, MA.

This marks UNA's 12th appearance in the Division II National Tournament. The Lions won NCAA National Championships in 1979 and 1991. In its 11 previous NCAA Tournament trips, UNA has won seven regional titles.

Four of those regional championships have come on the road. UNA has a 17-4 all-time record in NCAA Regional play and the Lions are 6-0 at home and 11-4 on the road.
This will mark UNA's third trip to Lakeland, FL., for a regional. North Alabama won the regional there in 1978-79 on its way to its first national title. UNA also played at Florida Southern in the 1987-88 regional, losing to Florida Southern in the first round.

UNA faced seven of the teams picked for the NCAA Tournament during the regular season. In addition to GSC foes Harding and Christian Brothers, UNA also faced Winona State (32-1), Philadelphia (22-11), Assumption (22-10), Northern Kentucky (20-7) and Clayton State (17-14).

UNA has an all-time 27-10 record in the NCAA Tournament, which ranks the Lions 14th in Division II history for most NCAA post-season wins. UNA's 27-10 NCAA Tournament record also gives the Lions a .730 winning percentage, which is third best in Division II history among teams with 20 wins or more.

North Alabama failed in its bid for a Gulf South Conference title but in UNA's two National Championship seasons in 1978-79 and 1990-91 - the Lions failed to win the GSC title both years.

03.03.08

UNA LIONS SET TO COMPETE IN GSC TOURNAMENT

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- The University of North Alabama basketball team can focus on their opening opponents in the 2008 Gulf South Conference Basketball Tournament with the release of the brackets from the league office.

The UNA men, 23-7 and champions of the East Division, get a first round bye and will play the winner of the Montevallo/Arkansas-Monticello match up on Friday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The Lions are riding an eight-game winning streak entering the tournament and have won their first GSC division title since 1995-96. UNA's men have advanced to the GSC Tournament in each of Coach Bobby Champagne's five seasons at the school but are just 1-4 in the tournament. Last year UNA won its opening round game against Christian Brothers but then fell to Montevallo.

UNA has won previous GSC Tournament titles in 1980-81, 1983-84, 1987-88, 1993-94 and 1995-96.

2008 GSC MEN'S TOURNAMENT BRACKET

Wednesday, March 5  (Opening Round)
Game A 5:30 pm #5W Arkansas Tech vs. #4E Alabama-Huntsville
Game B 7:30 pm #5E Montevallo vs. #4W Arkansas-Monticello

Friday, March 7 Quarter-Finals
Game C 12:30 pm Game A Winner vs. #1W Harding
Game D 2:45 pm #3W Ouachita Baptist vs. #2E Valdosta State
Game E 5:30 pm
Game B Winner vs. #1E North Alabama
Game F 7:30 pm #3E West Georgia vs. #2W Christian Brothers

Saturday, March 8 Semi-Finals
Game G 5:30 pm Winner Game C/D
Game H 7:30 pm Winner Game E/F

Sunday, March 9 *Championship Game 2:45 pm Winner Game G/H

*Televised Live on CSS and Cox Sports; All times Central and subject to change

*Televised Live on CSS and Cox Sports; Also Will Be Carried Live At MediaCom; All times Central and subject to change

Printable Bracket
http://www.contentedits.com/img.asp?t=2&id=16475
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02.28.08

WIN STREAK REACHES EIGHT AS UNA RALLIES TO BEAT WOLVES

Trailing by seven points with 2:39 remaining, things looked bleak for the 19th-ranked North Alabama men’s basketball team. The Lions, however, ended the game with a 12-0 run to defeat West Georgia 69-64 Tuesday at home and put an exclamation point on its Gulf South Conference East Division championship.

Two free throws by Casey Holt and a lay-up by Kenny Johnson pulled UNA to 61-64 before a three-pointer by Quinn Beckwith tied the game for the 12th time with1:44 remaining. After a defensive stop, Beckwith then gave the Lions the lead for good by converting a three-point play with a basket and free throw in the final 30 seconds.

The Wolves had one last chance, but a missed jumper by Terrence Hundley was turned into an alley-oop dunk from Beckwith to Isaac Gay, sending the Flowers Hall crowd of 1,700 into its biggest frenzy of the season.

Although the Lions (23-7 overall, 10-2 GSC) did not need the win after already clinching the division’s top seed in the upcoming conference tournament, it did provide momentum heading into the post-season with a No. 1 ranking in the South Region and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament on the horizon. UNA will enter the post-season on an eight-game winning streak, with its last loss coming on Jan. 26 against UAH.

UNA will open play in the GSC tourney on Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss. The Lions will play the winner between the West Division’s fourth-seeded and the East No. 5 team, which will be played the previous Wednesday.

Against the Wolves, Beckwith scored 19 points to lead four UNA players in double digits. Johnson added 17 on the night, while Gay had 12 and Thomas Fraise tossed in 11 for the Lions. West Georgia (15-11, 6-5) was led by Henrick Foster’s game-high 21-point effort. UWG will also advance to the conference tournament.

West Georgia led 35-32 at the half and dominated the boards all night, claiming a 48-35 rebounding edge. The Wolves, however, hit just 1-of-17 three-point baskets, including an 0-for-12 showing in the first half.

UNA countered with a 14-of-14 performance at the free throw line and hit 41 of its shots from the floor.

Check out the UNA Lions on YouTube.com

02.24.08

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE EAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS

As the final seconds ticked away Saturday night, North Alabama guard Casey Holt was all alone for an easy dunk. Instead he dribbled back towards mid-court put his finger in the air and dribbled out the clock. The Lions, for the first time since the 1995-96 season, are Gulf South Conference East Division champions.

The No. 23 UNA Lions used a 19-1 run to overcome an eight-point deficit in the final nine minutes, beating Alabama-Huntsville 66-56 at Spragins Hall before a crowd of 1,703. The Chargers clung to a 51-43 lead and had the ball before the Lions came roaring back. UNA, winners of seven straight games, improved to 22-7 and 9-2 in conference play.

UAH used a 9-3 run to go up 46-38 on a jumper by Tyler Hanback. Cody Jones' jumper made it 51-43 at the 8:49 mark, but the Lions held the Chargers without a field goal for seven minutes before Casey Stafford scored in the lane to pull UAH within 62-54.

Jones led UAH with 16 points, while Maurice Dobbins had 13. Tyler Dunaway, UAH's leading scorer, failed to score. Kael Coleman, who lit the Lions up for 28 points last month in Florence, finished with eight points and had six turnovers.

Andrew Chesney had a career-high 25 points for the Lions. He kept UNA close for most of the second half and ignited the rally in the final eight minutes to get the road win.

The win was bittersweet for UNA coach Bobby Champagne, who found out earlier in the day that his uncle, Robert Trahan, of Lafayette, LA, had passed away Saturday. Still, Champagne said he couldn't be prouder of his team. "From Day 1, when these guys break the huddle they say 'Champions.' "Champagne said."That's not anything I got them to do, that's just them. This team's chemistry has been tremendous and I'm so happy for them."

Both teams struggled to score in the first half and the Chargers led by 3 at halftime. UNA trailed most of the first half, including an eight-point deficit at 24-16 with 3:08 remaining. UNA closed out the half outscoring UAH 7-2. Quinn Beckwith hit a three-pointer as time expired for a 26-23 score at the break.

UAH appeared to be pulling away at times, but Chesney hit three 3-pointers in the first seven minutes to keep UNA close. Chesney also started the late scoring run with two free throws and then Beckwith nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing. Kenny Johnson gave the Lions a 52-51 lead when he hit a pull-up jumper. Chesney followed with another jumper to put UNA up 54-51. UAH ended the Lions scoring run with one free throw. Beckwith answered with a trey from the top of the key and Chesney scored on a tip-in to make it 59-52 with 4:10 to go.

After a free throw by Chesney, Johnson made a steal and got the ball to Beckwith for a breakaway lay-up that made it 62-52 with 1:59 remaining. UAH later cut it to 62-55, but Johnson scored on a drive to put it away for UNA.

Beckwith added 14 points and Holt 13 for UNA. Thomas Fraise pulled down 11 rebounds and Chesney added 8 caroms on the night. UNA will be the No. 1 seed from the East in the GSC Tournament. The Lions will close out their regular season at home against West Georgia on Tuesday.

"It was a great win tonight and I loved our crowd," Champagne said. "It was nice to hear UNA chants from the rafters. Now we've got Senior Night on Tuesday and we need to keep playing well."

02.19.08

LIONS HOLD ON TO TWO GAME LEAD IN THE GSC

A barrage of three-point baskets in the first 20 minutes by the University of North Alabama sealed West Florida’s fate Monday as the Lions rolled to a 21-point halftime lead and an eventual 88-66 win over the Argonauts. With the victory, North Alabama put itself in excellent position to win the Gulf South Conference's East Division.

UNA needs just one win in its final two games to clinch first place in the East. The Lions will play at Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday and then host West Georgia next Tuesday.

UNA, now 21-7 overall and 8-2 in the Gulf South Conference, made nine three-point baskets in the first half to take total control with a 47-26 lead at intermission. UNA hit 9-of-18 from 3-point range to take the commanding lead. The Lions were in control all the way, scoring the game’s first eight points and quickly building a 12-point lead. Quinn Beckwith and Casey Holt both nailed a 3-pointer in an 8-0 spurt that pushed the lead to 29-13.

With UNA playing substitutes liberally in the second half, a nearly 30-point lead was cut to 16 points midway through the half but UNA held on for the 22-point win.

UNA improved to 12-2 all-time against West Florida and, in sweeping this season’s series, current Lion coach Bobby Champagne is 9-1 against the Argonauts.

Thomas Fraise led four UNA players in double-figures with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Holt added 19 points, Quinn Beckwith 17 and Kenny Johnson 13.

The Lions out-rebounded the Argonauts 41-31 and shot 49.2 percent from the floor. David Maddux led UWF with 12 points. Charles Bouie and Kenny Holmes added 11 points each for the visiting Argonauts.

UNA has a two-game lead in the GSC race with just two games to play and the Lions are trying to earn their first GSC East Division title since 1995-96.

02.18.08

LIONS CLINCH BERTH IN GSC TOURNAMENT

North Alabama shot 50 percent from the floor and had three players score more than 20 points during a 94-82 home victory over Valdosta State Saturday in Gulf South Conference basketball action. With the win, the Lions (20-7) extended their lead in the East Division with a 7-2 mark in conference play, and assured a spot in the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament in Southaven, MS.

Valdosta State's only lead was at 2-0, and Beckwith wiped it out with a pair of 3-pointers to put the Lions up 6-2. Fraise then went to work inside, scoring seven straight points to make it 15-6. Fraise later scored on a lay-up and then converted a three-point play to push the lead to 31-17. The Blazers got the lead down to 11 late in the half, but Isaac Gay buried a 3-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer, sending UNA into halftime with a 49-35 lead. Beckwith and Fraise both scored 13 points in the first half.

The Lions would continue to dominate over the final 20 minutes, leading by as many as 24 points in the second half. Andrew Chesney nailed a trey to open the second half to help the Lions avoid a letdown. Beckwith later hit a trey to start a 7-0 run that extended the lead to 63-43. UNA put it away with an 8-0 spurt midway through the half. Beckwith and Holt both hit a 3-pointer in the run, which put the Lions up 90-66 with 5:37 remaining.

The largest Flowers Hall (2,107) crowd in recent memory got its money's worth Saturday.

Three players scored at least 20 points for UNA, which reached 20 wins for the first time since 1995. The Lions took control early and never let Valdosta State (13-10, 5-4) back in it, earning a split in the season series.

Fraise and Quinn Beckwith scored 21 points each to lead the Lions. Casey Holt added 20 for UNA. Holt also grabbed 12 rebounds, putting him over 500 for his career. This was Holt’s ninth double-double of the season. Kenny Johnson chipped in with 10 points for UNA, which earned a measure of revenge after an overtime loss at Valdosta on Jan. 14.

The victory also capped the school’s 11th 20-win season and the first for head coach Bobby Champagne.

The largest Flowers Hall crowd (2,107) in recent memory got its money's worth Saturday.

UNA will host West Florida next.

02.13.08

LIONS IN SOLE POSSESSION OF FIRST PLACE

For the second time in three days and the fourth time this season, the University of North Alabama Men’s Basketball Team picked up a Gulf South Conference road win, downing West Alabama 86-68 at Pruitt Hall.

The win gives UNA sole possession of first place in the GSC East Division at 6-2. The Lions entered Monday’s game in a three-way tie with Valdosta State and Alabama-Huntsville for first place. But Valdosta State lost at home to West Georgia and UAH fell on the road to West Florida, leaving UNA as the lone remaining East Division team with just two losses.
North Alabama has 19 wins overall, marking the first time a UNA men’s team has won as many as 19 games since 1995-96. UNA is 19-7 overall and 6-2 in league play with four GSC games remaining. Three of UNA’s remaining GSC games are at home, beginning Saturday against Valdosta State.

Against West Alabama, the Tigers got off to great start jumping out to their largest lead of the game at 12-4 five minutes deep into the contest. UNA trimmed the deficit to one point at 21-20 at the 9:42 mark of the opening half and would take its first lead of the game to begin a 12-0 run to push the lead out to double figures at 32-22. The Purple and Gold, who drained 7-of-12 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes, took its largest lead of 16 points just seconds before the halftime horn sounded. The Lions took a 42-29 lead into the intermission. West Alabama was held to just 7 points in the final 7:44 of the first half.

UNA connected on 40% from beyond the three-point line. Quinn Beckwith drilled seven treys posting game-high scoring honors with 24 points. Kenny Johnson scored 17, Casey Holt 15, Thomas Fraise 11 and Isaac Gay 10. With his 12 rebounds, Holt also recorded his eighth double-double of the season and moved ahead of Wimp Sanderson on the All-Time scoring list.
UNA made nine three-point baskets in the game and held the Tigers to 41 percent shooting from the floor.

The Lions completed a season sweep of the Tigers with the win.

The UNA and Valdosta State men’s game will tip off at 3 p.m. Saturday at Flowers Hall. The women’s game begins at 1 p.m. and all Lion fans are encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

02.11.08

LIONS REMAIN TIED FOR FIRST

Thomas Morris scored six points in a five-second span in triple-overtime to give North Alabama a critical Gulf South Conference road win as the Lions outlasted Montevallo 109-99. The win gave UNA (18-7, 5-2) the season sweep over the Falcons and kept the Lions in a three-way tie with UAH and Valdosta for first place in the GSC.

Morris scored one point through the game's first 50 minutes, but as the third overtime began, he got open for a lay-up to give UNA the lead. Montevallo's Shon Caston was called for an intentional foul on the play, sending Morris to the free throw line. Morris hit both free throws to complete the four-point play and the Lions also took possession. UNA got the ball to Morris off the inbounds play and he hit a short jumper to put the Lions up 100-94.That was the spark UNA had been looking for all night and it enabled them to put the Falcons away. After his scoring spree, Morris got a defensive rebound that led to a 3-pointer by Kenny Johnson, giving the Lions a 103-94 lead. Isaac Gay later scored back-to-back baskets on a lay-up, a dunk and free throw to put it away for the Lions.

The Lions got 24 points from Isaac Gay off the bench as their subs outscored Montevallo's backups 35-25. Casey Holt led UNA with 28 points while Kenny Johnson had 21 and Thomas Fraise scored 12 before fouling out in the first OT.

The Falcons (9-12, 2-5) were down 37-33 at the half, but went on a 9-0 run to open the second period to get their largest lead of the game at 42-33, thanks to five points from UAB transfer Tauras Dortch. Montevallo came from four points down in the final 2:45 of regulation as Caston got a driving lay-up and Dortch scored inside with 45 seconds to play. Caston finished with 11 and Dortch scored 18. Montevallo got 17 points and 13 rebounds from Anthony Brown, who fouled out early in the second extra period. DeAndre Miranda also had 11 points in the loss.

Three times in the first OT, UNA got up by eight points, but Terrill Humphrey scored 12 of his 26 points in the final 1:10 to trim the lead to 86-84. Dortch drove the length of the court for a lay-in with five seconds remaining to tie the game.

The game was UNA's first triple-overtime game since the Lions lost 74-72 at West Alabama in 1985. The Lions had two players foul out, while Kenny Johnson played 54 minutes and Casey Holt 52 minutes.

UNA had four shots to win it in the final seconds of regulation, but failed to convert. The Lions opened up a quick eight-point lead in the first overtime after Holt hit a pair of 3-pointers and Quinn Beckwith hit one.

The Lions had a chance to win it in the second overtime, but Holt's off-balance jumper bounced off the rim, sending it to a third extra period.

Thomas Morris made sure the third overtime was the last.

UNA travels to Livingston, AL to take on West Alabama Monday night.

02.06.08

LIONS AMONG FIVE GSC SHCOOLS RANKED

The Gulf South Conference kept five teams in the second edition of the 2007-08 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regional Rankings were released today.

North Alabama held its No. 3 spot, while Alabama-Huntsville moved up two slots to No. 6. Harding also moved up, climbing to No. 7. Ouachita Baptist made its first appearance in the rankings, placing No. 8. West Georgia rounded out the league's contingent, falling three positions to No. 10.

The complete poll can be found at www.ncaasports.com

02.04.08

LIONS WIN #17

A pair of three-point baskets by Quinn Beckwith and a lay-up from Casey Holt broke open a four-point game in the second half and led North Alabama to an 83-63 win over Concordia-Selma at Flowers Hall.

A flu bug has taken its toll on the North Alabama men's basketball team this week, and it forced the Lions to play without starting center Thomas Fraise in Saturday's non-conference game. Fraise's absence was felt as the Lions struggled in the first half. Fortunately for UNA, senior guard Casey Holt was healthy. Holt scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help UNA pull away late for the victory.

It was Holt's fifth 30-point effort and his seventh double-double of the season. He scored 20 points in the second half and hit 13-of-17 shots from the field. Holt led UNA with 31 points and 11 rebounds. It was his fifth 30-plus point game of the season and his seventh double-double of the year. He also pushed his career scoring total to 1,034 points, tying Joe Edwards for 18th in UNA history.

UNA led 30-27 at the half but built the lead to 10 early in the second half. Concordia rallied to cut the lead to four but three straight UNA baskets put the game out of reach for the Hornets.

Quinn Beckwith added 13 points for UNA and Andrew Chesney had 10. Deonte Williams led four Concordia players in double figures with 12. Rodrice Griffin and Ronald Cooper had 11 each and Lewis Lee had 10. The Lions improved to 10-2 on their home court and 17-7 overall.

UNA held a 51-38 rebounding advantage but the Lions committed 25 turnovers and made just 10 of 21 free throw attempts. UNA made nine three-point baskets to just three for Concordia.

UNA hurt itself with turnovers throughout the first half. The Lions used scoring spurts of eight and seven points to take a 30-27 lead into halftime, despite 19 giveaways.

Concordia pulled within one point early in the second half at 38-37. UNA responded when Chesney buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key, Isaac Gay scored on a dunk and Holt tipped in a missed shot to push the lead to 45-38. UNA led 46-40 when Holt hit back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the margin to 52-40.

Concordia, however, used a 10-0 spurt to cut the margin to 59-55 with 6:48 to play. The Lions again responded when Beckwith nailed 3-pointer from the corner. Holt scored on a jumper and later tipped a missed shot to Beckwith for another trey to increase the lead to 67-55 with 4:56 remaining.

UNA put it away two minutes later with an 8-0 run.

UNA hit 53.3 percent from the field for the game, including 9-of-20 from 3-point range. The Lions were just 10-of-21 at the free-throw line.

The Lions have a week off and will begin the second half of GSC play at Montevallo next Saturday.

01.28.08

UNA IN GSC RACE WITH WIN OVER WEST GEORGIA

Thomas Fraise had 21 points and four other North Alabama players reached double digits in scoring as the Lions picked up a key Gulf South Conference road victory with a 101-88 win over West Georgia.

The win helps UNA keep pace in the GSC East Division with a 4-2 league record. The first conference loss of the season drops the Wolves’ into a tie for first place with a 4-1 GSC mark. The Lions raced out to an early lead and held off a late charge by UWG (11-7, 4-1).

Fraise scored three-straight baskets to spark the Lions and Beckwith hit three treys in the early minutes of the game to help UNA built an 18-point lead (34-16) with 8:32 remaining in the first half. UNA took a 50-42 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, West Georgia was able to close the gap, eventually tying the game at 75-75 at the 9:17 mark. UNA never allowed the Wolves to take the lead. Instead of folding under the pressure, UNA answered with a 7-0 run to regain the momentum and put the Wolves away. Casey Holt started the run with two free throws. After a West Georgia miss, Kenny Johnson fed Quinn Beckwith on the fast-break for a 3-point basket and Isaac Gay hit two free throws to push the lead to 84-77 with just under 7:00 minutes to play.

Beckwith scored 17 points for the Lions, while Holt and Gay added 16 apiece and Andrew Chesney had 13. Fraise led the Lions with 12 rebounds and Holt also grabbed 10 boards. Casey Holt became the 20th player at UNA to go over 1,000 points for his career. UNA shot 53% from the field and held the Wolves under 45% for the game. UNA also held a 49-35 advantage on the boards.

UNA (16-7) will host Concordia on Feb. 2 before returning to GSC play the following Saturday at Montevallo.

01.28.08

LIONS LOSE SECOND CONFERENCE GAME

Despite a 29 point and 10 rebound effort from Senior Guard Casey Holt, the University of North Alabama Lions dropped an 86-82 Gulf South Conference game to the UAH Chargers.

Cody Jones and Kael Coleman had the hot hand for the Chargers as Jones scored 23 points in the second half (31 for the game) and Coleman added 28 to earn the win in Flowers Hall. Holt hit 12 of his 15 shots from the floor but was just 2-of-7 from the free throw line for the game.

The charity stripe proved to be the difference in the game as UAH made 14 of 15 free throw attempts to help seal the win. The Lions shot just 11-of-19 from the foul line.

The loss drops UNA to 15-7 overall and 3-2 in the Gulf South Conference, while UAH improved to 10-9 and 4-1.

Kenny Johnson and Quinn Beckwith added 16 points each and Thomas Fraise had 13.

UNA held a 35-30 rebounding advantage in a game that saw just 13 turnovers - six by UAH and seven by UNA.

01.21.08

LIONS ROAR PAST WEST ALABAMA

North Alabama saw four players finish in double-figures and 10 different players scored as the Lions routed West Alabama 87-66 in a Gulf South Conference contest at Flowers Hall.

UNA built an early lead behind blazing three-point shooting from Quinn Beckwith and Thomas Fraise, who combined to hit eight three-pointers in the first half. The Lions led 45-29 at intermission and extended their lead in the second half behind a host of offensive weapons.

Beckwith led UNA with 22 point as he hit three-pointers. He added seven rebounds and four assists. Fraise finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Isaac Gay with 11 points and Casey Holt with 10.

The win improves UNA's record to 15-6 overall and 3-1 in the GSC. It was the Lions seventh straight win over the Tigers in Florence.

West Alabama, 5-11, 0-3, was led by Cavin Payton with 16 and Kevin Johnson with 11.

UNA held a 47-40 rebounding edge and made 13 three-point baskets to just seven for the Tigers.

North Alabama hosts Alabama-Huntsville on January 26 at Flowers Hall.


01.19.08

LIONS IMPROVE TO 14-6

Casey Holt scored 30 points and pulled nine rebounds to lead the University of North Alabama to a 79-71 win over Montevallo in a Gulf South Conference matchup at Flowers Hall.

UNA led 33-30 at the half and pushed the lead to 15 in the second half before a Montevallo charge. Holt hit key free throws down the stretch, finishing 11-for-13 to help hold off the Falcons.

It was UNA head coach Bobby Champagne's first win at home against Montevallo in five tries and evened the Lions all-time record at home in Flowers Hall against the Falcons at 7-7. Montevallo entered the game as the only school in the GSC with a winning record against UNA in Florence.

The win ups UNA's record to 14-6 overall and 2-1 in the GSC. Montevallo falls to 7-9 and 1-2.

In addition to Holt's 30 points, Thomas Fraise added 15 and Quinn Beckwith had 10. Montevallo was led by Terrill Humphrey with 22, Brian Carlyle with 14 and Anthony Brown with 11. The Falcons outrebounded UNA 43-40 but had 15 turnovers to just 12 for the Lions.

UNA hit 21-of-28 free throws in the game to 17-of-24 shooting for Montevallo.

The Lions were cold from the three-point arch, making just four of 25 attempts.

01.07.08

LIONS POST 119 IN WIN

Quinn Beckwith scored 28 points and Casey Holt added the Lions’ first triple-double in the Bobby Champagne era as the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team cruised to a 119-91 victory over Carver Monday evening at Flowers Hall.

The Lions scored more than 100 points for the second time this year, challenging a few offensive records along the way. UNA went 15-of-36 from three-point range, tying the team record for most attempts and breaking the previous record of 14 made three-pointers set in 1998 against Trevecca. Beckwith, who finished the game 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, was just one three-pointer shy of Milton Nance’s nine made last season.

Against the Cougars, UNA struggled early, falling behind by as many as seven in the first half. An alley-oop dunk from Beckwith to Thomas Morris gave the Lions their first lead at 42-41 at the 4:10 mark. UNA closed the half on a 18-6 run to take a 56-47 lead at the break.

The Lions outscored Carver 63-44 over the final 20 minutes with every player on the roster seeing playing time and scoring points. Six players reached double digits in scoring, including Holt, who finished the night with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Morris added 14 points for the game while Kenny Johnson, Thomas Fraise and Dusko Stojnic tossed in 11 points each for the Lions.

With the win, UNA improves to 12-5 on the season and will open Gulf South Conference play Jan. 12 at West Florida. Two days later, the Lions will travel to Valdosta State, before returning home to face Montevallo on Jan. 19.


01.06.08

LIONS PICK UP BIG ROAD WIN

For the second straight game, the University of North Alabama Men’s Basketball Team avenged an earlier-season loss, downing Arkansas Tech 94-74 on the Wonerboys’ home floor Saturday evening. Seven UNA players scored in double figures as the Lions improved to 11-5 on the year, ending ATU’s seven-game home winning streak in the process.

In the first meeting on Dec. 8, Tech left Flowers Hall with a 100-90 victory.
This time, the Lions opened the game with a 10-0 run and never trailed. UNA led by as many as 19 in the opening 20 minutes and took a 40-33 lead into the break.

A three-pointer by Thomas Fraise in the opening minute of the second half quickly stretched the lead back to double digits and the Wonderboys (9-4) would get no closer than eight the rest of the way. ATU closed the gap to 74-66 with 5:45 remaining, but a 14-0 run by the Lions put the game out of reach. Casey Holt had back-to-back lay-ups and Andrew Chesney and Kenny Johnson both hit a 3-pointer in the run.

Isaac Gay, Kenny Johnson and Quinn Beckwith scored 14 points each to lead UNA.
Fraise added 13 points and 8 rebounds for the Lions while Andrew Chesney and Casey Holt scored 12 each. Thomas Morris completed the balanced attack with 11 points on the night.

For the game, UNA shot 52.8% from the field and was 12-of-22 from the three-point line (54.5%) and held a 44-41 edge on the boards while limiting Tech to 40% from the field and just 4-of-14 from beyond the three-point line.

01.04.08

UNA GET WIN NO. 10

North Alabama senior Quinn Beckwith scored 23 points off the bench and senior Casey Holt added 21 to lead the Lions to a 99-84 victory over Harding on Thursday at Flowers Hall. The Bisons have now lost their first four road games of the 2007-08 season and UNA has won 6 of 7 in Flowers Hall. North Alabama (10-5) used strong runs at the end of the first half and the opening minutes of the second half to surge to lead by as many as 27 points with 12:04 remaining in the game. Harding (6-6) used a late rally to close to within 11 points but got no closer.

Junior forward Andrew Chesney made just his second start for the Lions and sparked a big run late in the first half that put the Lions in control. Chesney scored nine of his 13 points in a five-minute span late in the first half that gave the Lions the halftime advantage. Freshman forward Kevin Brown made his first collegiate start and led Harding in scoring with 19 points. It was the first time this season that senior Matt Hall did not lead or tie for the team lead in scoring. Hall, who battled foul trouble after picking up two in the game's first five minutes, finished with 13 points.

UNA led 26-25 when Isaac Gay hit a 3-pointer and Chesney made two free throws to push the lead to 32-26. Harding (6-6) cut it to 32-28, but Chesney hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and then converted a three-point play on the next possession to help the Lions go up 43-30 at halftime. Casey Holt scored 11 points in the first three minutes of the second half. The senior forward hit three treys in the first three minutes of the second half to help the Lions extend their lead to 59-37. UNA's largest lead was 72-45 after Thomas Morris converted a three-point play with 12:05 to go. North Alabama outscored Harding 22-12 in the first five minutes of the second half to put the game out of reach. Harding, playing after a 19-day Christmas break, shot 53 percent from the field, the sixth time this season the Bisons shot better than 50 percent but the first in a loss. North Alabama shot 49 percent but connected on 11-of-24 three-pointers (46 percent). The Lions entered the game tied for the Gulf South Conference lead in three-point field goal percentage (41 percent). The Lions lead the GSC in scoring, averaging over 85 points per game.

UNA withstood a late Harding rally to secure the win. The Bisons closed the gap to 11 with less than five minutes remaining, but would get no closer. Holt finished the game with 21 points, while Kenny Johnson tossed in 15 points and eight assists. Isaac Gay rounded out the Lions’ top scorers with 10 points while Thomas Morris and Dusko Stojnic came off the bench with a good effort. Morris had eight points and Stojnic had five rebounds in seven minutes.

The Lions will attempt to avenge another loss with their next outing. One month after dropping a 100-90 home decision to Arkansas Tech, UNA will get a rematch on the Wonderboys’ home floor on Jan. 5 in Russellville, Ark.

12.31.07

LIONS END CALENDAR YEAR WITH A TOUGH LOSS

A North Alabama rally came up just short Saturday afternoon at Northern Kentucky held on for a 76-73 win over the Lions to extend its winning streak to seven straight games.

After leading 25-21 at the break, UNA trailed by as many as seven in the second half, including a 66-59 deficit with 2:53 remaining. The Lions closed the gap to 75-73 with 12 seconds remaining on a three-point play by Casey Holt. After the Norse (8-1) hit one free throw, UNA had one last chance to tie, but a missed three-pointer at the buzzer secured the NKU win.

Thomas Fraise led four UNA players in double figures with 18 points on the day. Kenny Johnson added 16 points and six assists, while Holt tossed in 15 and Isaac Gay, 11 for the Lions.

The loss drops UNA’s record to 9-5 on the year with all five defeats coming at the hands of teams with winning records. The Lions will attempt to avenge one of the losses on Jan. 3, when Harding visits Flowers Hall. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. following the women’s game between the same two schools.

12.20.07

PAIR OF ROAD WINS SENDS LIONS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

The University of North Alabama men's basketball team improved to 9-4 on the season after going 2-0 on a key road swing that included a pair of in-region games. The Lions used second-half surges in both contests to knock off Clayton State on Saturday before downing Lynn Monday night.

At Clayton State, five players reached double digits in scoring as UNA picked up a big an 83-66 victory. Kenny Johnson turned in a career-high 25 points as the Lions broke a two-game losing streak. UNA led by as many as nine points in the opening 20 minutes before the Lakers used a 12-1 run to enter the locker room with a 38-37 lead. In the second half, the Lions began a 16-6 run at the 12 minute mark to take control of the game. Isaac Gay also had a solid night with 21 points for the Lions. Thomas Fraise added 13 for the game, while Andrew Chesney and Casey Holt recorded 11 points to round out the top scorers.

Against Lynn, UNA scored the first 11 points of the second half to quickly stretch a one-point half-time lead into double digits en route to a 79-62 road victory. Holt scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the final 20 minutes of play as the Lions outscored Lynn 44-28. Johnson added 18 points for UNA while Chesney recorded a career high 16 and Fraise tossed in 10 on the night. The Knights scored the first seven points of the game before a jumper by Holt put UNA on the scoreboard at the 16:53 mark. The Lions were able to cut into the lead by shooting 50 percent from the floor and take a 35-34 advantage at the break.

UNA will take a few days off for Christmas and will play at Northern Kentucky on Dec. 29.

12.05.07

LIONS EARN A SPLIT ON THE ROAD

Isaac Gay’s three-pointer as time expired was just off the mark allowing Harding to come away with an 88-85 home victory over North Alabama Tuesday evening at Rhodes Field House on the HU campus.

The three-point defeat ends the Lions’ seven-game winning streak and gives the team a 7-3 mark on the season. Harding improves to 4-4 on the year.

UNA had battled back from a nine-point half-time deficit (44-35) to take the lead in the second half. A jumper by Casey Holt at the 13:11 mark capped a 20-9 run and gave the Lions a 55-53 lead.

The Bisons were able to regain the lead and go ahead by seven at 80-73 in the final five minutes of play before the Lions used one final surge. Led by a pair of three-pointers by Kenny Johnson and a three-point play by Gay, UNA was able to tie the game at 84-84 with 1:23 remaining.

Harding got a layup by Jesse Bynum and two free throws by Matt Hall while the Lions were unable to connect on another field goal down the stretch.

Five players reached double digits in scoring for UNA, including Johnson’s team-best 21 points. Thomas Fraise added 18 points for the Lions while Holt recorded 17 and Gay tossed in 15 on the night. Andrew Chesney rounded out the top scorers for UNA with 12 points. Hall led all scorers on the night with 28 points for the Bisons. Holt lead the Lions with 12 rebounds while Gay had 8. UNA shot 54% from the field and 50% from beyond the three point line but were only able to connect on 6 of 19 free throws which proved to be the difference in the game.

In the first game of the trip the North Alabama men’s basketball team ran its winning streak to seven games after pulling away in the second half for a 77-63 victory over Southern Arkansas.

In the second meeting between the two schools in a week, Isaac Gay scored 20 points to lead the Lions to their first road win of the season. Thomas Fraise scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds (his first double double), Kenny Johnson had 13 points while Casey Holt only had 4 points but led the team with 13 rebounds.

Southern Arkansas scored 14 straight points to go ahead 14-5, but the Lions then began to chip away at the lead, pulling to within one at halftime. UNA then took control early in the second half and quickly built a double-digit advantage.

The Lions held a 49-25 rebounding advantage over the SAU and also had a good night at the free throw line, converting 21-of-25 attempts.

The Lions will return home Saturday afternoon for a match-up against Gulf South Conference West Division foe Arkansas Tech. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Flowers Hall.

12.02.07

UNA BEATS DELTA STATE FOR FOURTH TIME IN FIVE YEARS

The University of North Alabama men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to six consecutive games Saturday by knocking off Gulf South Conference west opponent Delta State91-78 at home. Casey Holt scored 30 points on the day as the Lions improved to 6-2 on the season and a perfect 5-0 at Flowers Hall.

The Statesmen took an early 6-4 lead on a dunk by Ray Selvage. A three-pointer by Isaac Gay, however, put UNA on top 7-6 and the Lions never trailed again.

Thomas Fraise also reached double figures with 17 points for UNA, while Kenny Johnson tossed in 16 points and handed out five assists Delta State dropped to 3-2 and was led by Oliver Mansour’s 17-point effort.

The Lions took a 46-36 lead into the half and outscored DSU 45-42 over the final 20 minutes. A jumper by Thomas Morris gave UNA its largest lead of the night at 19 with a jumper at the 13:46 mark. The Statesmen cut the Lions lead to 77-69 with 3:07 remaining. The Lions responded by hitting free throws and rebounding to get the lead back up to 13.

UNA was able to push the lead by to 12 at 87-75, then hit free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

The Lions shot just over 50% from the field, 45% from beyond the three-point line and only 60% from the free throw line. UNA outrebounded DSU 45 to 38.

This was the fourth win over the Statesman in the past five seasons and 35 and 37 all-time.

11.28.07

HOLT EARNS HONORS AGAIN

Casey Holt collects his second straight honor, leading UNA to a 2-0 week, averaging 24.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in a pair of home games. He also shot 66.7 percent from the floor and 1.000 percent from the foul line in 34.0 minutes of action.

The senior began the week, notching his second double-double of the season behind a career-high 30 points and a game-best 12 rebounds, while also dishing out five assists in a 122-89 blowout of Blue Mountain College.

The Culleoka, TN native capped the week, scoring a game-high 19 points, while grabbing eight boards in a 78-72 triumph over GSC West Division foe Southern Arkansas.

11.25.07

FIVE STRAIGHT WINS FOR LIONS

Casey Holt scored 19 points to lead four North Alabama players in double digits as the Lions grabbed a 78-72 victory over Southern Arkansas Saturday evening at Flowers Hall. The win was the fifth straight for UNA, which improves to 5-2 on the year. SAU (2-1) suffers its first loss of the season.

The Lions led 34-33 at the half thanks to a jumper by Thomas Morris as time expired. In the second half, UNA led by as many as eight, but the Muleriders responded with a 16-7 run to take a 61-60 lead with just over eight minutes to play.

A three-pointer by Phil Collins regained the lead for the Lions and the home team never trailed again.

Andrew Chesney added 14 points for UNA, including a six-of-seven showing at the free throw line. The junior from Birmingham, who also added nine rebounds, hit four free throws in the final 14 seconds to ice the game. Thomas Fraise added 12 points for the Lions while Morris tossed in 10 to round out the top scorers.

UNA led by as many as seven in the second half, but could never pull away. Southern Arkansas hit some big 3-pointers to get within striking distance and tied it at 64 with 4:31 left on a jumper by Mori Turpin.

UNA began getting the ball inside and Thomas Morris quickly drew a foul. Morris hit both free throws to give put UNA up 66-64. The Muleriders tied it at 66, but Chesney and Isaac Gay converted two free throws on back-to-back possessions to put the Lions up 70-66 with 2:28 remaining.

Southern Arkansas pulled within two points again, but Fraise then scored back-to-back baskets to push UNA's lead to 74-68 with 43 seconds to go. The Lions also were able to get the ball inside for some easy baskets. Chesney had some big plays in the lane.

North Alabama used some clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes to claim a 78-72 victory over Southern Arkansas on Saturday at Flowers Hall.

Southern Arkansas rallied from a seven-point deficit to tie it at 64 with 4:25 remaining. The Lions then converted 10-of-11 at the line in the final four minutes to earn the victory over the GSC West rival.

UNA got another good performance on the boards, holding a 46-25 advantage. Andrew Chesney lead UNA with 9 rebounds (5 Offensive) while Casey Holt added 8 and Isaac Gay and Thomas Fraise each grabbed 6 caroms.

UNA will host Delta State on Dec. 1 in a men’s and women’s double-header. Tip-off for the men’s game is set for 3 p.m. at Flowers Hall.

11.21.07

UNA WINS AGAIN

The North Alabama men’s basketball team got its highest offensive production in 14 seasons, in a 122-89 win over Blue Mountain College Tuesday evening at home.

In a sloppy game that featured a combined 211 points, 54 personal fouls, 40 turnovers and 68 free throw attempts, the Lions improved to 4-2 on the year with a 3-0 mark at Flowers Hall. Casey Holt led four UNA players in double digits with 30 points on the night.

The senior from Culleoka, Tenn., hit 11-of-15 shots from the floor and added 12 rebounds and five assists for the Lions. Kenny Johnson tossed in 23 points and eight assists, while Andrew Chesney had 14 and Thomas Fraise, 12 for UNA.

The Lions raced out to a 27-5 lead before Blue Mountain rallied to keep the game interesting. UNA led 57-44 at intermission, but the Toppers closed the gap to single digits early in the second half. A three-pointer by Tyler Markham made the score 65-58 with 17:07 remaining, but BMC would get no closer.

The 122 points was the Lions’ highest offensive output since a 122-92 win over Baptist Christian in the 1992-93 season. The total was also just five points shy team record for most points scored in a game, set in 1991 against DeVry.

The Lions will host GSC West Division foe Southern Arkansas Saturday at 6 p.m.

Tip-off time at Flowers Hall was changed due to the football team’s home playoff game kicking off at noon.

11.20.07

HONORS FOR CASEY HOLT

North Alabama guard Casey Holt (SR, 6-5, 172, Culleoka, TN).

Holt earns his first-ever award, leading UNA to a pair of in-region wins as host of the Marriott Shoals Classic, averaging 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also shot 51.7 percent from the floor and 83.3 from the charity stripe in 37.5 minutes of action

The senior tipped off the season, leading the Lions to a 78-68 win over Nova Southeastern, pouring in a game-high tying 21 points while adding seven rebounds. The Culleoka, TN native wrapped up MVP honors at the Classic, pulling down a game-high nine rebounds, while adding 23 points and five assists in an 87-82 triumph over in-state SIAC foe Miles.

Holt leads the Lions with an 8.2 rebound per game average and is second on the team averaging 16.2 points per contest.

11.18.07

LIONS WIN HOME OPENER

Five players reached double digits in scoring as the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team defeated Nova Southeastern 78-68 in its home opener Saturday afternoon at Marriott Shoals Tip-off Classic.

Casey Holt scored a team-high 21 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Lions, who even their season record to 2-2 on the year. Newcomers Thomas Fraise and Andrews Chesney had 14 points each, while Isaac Gay added 12 points.

Kenny Johnson rounded out the top scorers for the Lions with 11 on the day.

UNA built a 41-32 advantage at the half and held of late charge by the Sharks.

Nova took its first lead of the second half at the 9:36 mark on a three-pointer by Oresti Nitsios. The shot capped a 10-2 run and gave the Sharks a 56-55 lead.

The Lions responded with a three-pointer by Johnson and never trailed again.

Johnson also finished the game with nine assists.

Nova held a 45-36 edge in rebounding, but hit just nine-of-17 free throws.

UNA shot 43.3 percent from the floor and connected on 12-of-17 from the foul line.

UNA will take on Miles Sunday at 2:30 in Flowers Hall. The Golden Bears were 76-73 winners over Alabama-Huntsville in the early game. The Chargers and Sharks will also square off at 12:30.

11.15.07

UNA DROPS EXHIBITION CONTEST TO RAGIN CAJUNS

A three-pointer by Phil Collins tied the game with 13 minutes to play but the University of North Alabama Lions went cold from that point on and dropped a 79-67 exhibition game at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

UNA trailed 32-31 at the half and stayed close until Collins tied the game at 43-43 with 13:39 left in the game. North Alabama wouldn't score again until the 10:44 mark when the Lions had fallen behind by seven and UNA never got closer than four down the stretch.

It was UNA's third exhibition game against an NCAA Division I opponent this season, with the Lions having played at Indiana, at Alabama and at Louisiana.

Quinn Beckwith led UNA with 15 points, while Casey Holt and Thomas Fraise added 14 each.

Elijah Milsap led the Ragin Cajuns with 21 points and Chris Gradnigo added 15.

UNA was 26-of-65 from the floor for 40 percent and the Lions made 6-of-17 three-point attempts. Louisiana- Lafayette was 31-of-65 from the floor and made five three-pointers. UNA was outrebounded 49 to 33 and the Lions had 17 turnovers.

UNA head coach Bobby Champagne is a native of Lafayette and was an assistant coach with the Ragin Cajuns for five years and helped lead the school to its last Sun Belt Conference championship in 2000.

North Alabama hosts the Marriott Shoals Hoops Classic this Saturday and Sunday, facing Nova Southeastern at 2:30 Saturday and Miles at 2:30 Sunday. Alabama-Huntsville will play Miles at 12:30 Saturday and will meet Nova Southeastern at 12:30 Sunday.

11.11.07

LIONS GET FIRST WIN

The University of North Alabama men's basketball team got its first win of the season Sunday, defeating Philadelphia University 90-62, in the 2007 Disney’s Division II Men’s Tip Off Classic at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.

Quinn Beckwith scored 16 of his 27 points in the second half to lead four North Alabama (1-2) players in double figures. Beckwith, who was named to the All-Tournament Team for Group Teamwork, shot 8-of-16 from the floor, including 6-of-13 from beyond the three-point arc. Thomas Fraise came off the bench to contribute 16 points (11 in the first half), shooting 6-of-8 from the field. Kenny Johnson (5-6 FG) and Issac Gay (4-9 FG) added 11 points a piece in the Lions victory.

Jason Hickenbottom led the Rams (0-3) with 22 points shooting 7-of-15 from the floor. Mike Dunn added 17 points and Malcom Ingram recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The first half was one dictated by scoring streaks by each school. Philadelphia University took the early lead, 14-6, at the 13:23 mark, but the Lions scored 10 straight points to take a two-point lead. The Rams followed with a 9-0 run of their own to lead a 23-16 lead five minutes later. North Alabama stood fast and scored nine unanswered points to take a two-point lead (25-23) with 4:51 left in the half and held on to a 34-31 lead going into halftime. The second half was a different story as the Lions scored 20 of the first 28 points, led by Issac Gay’s eight points, to take a commanding 15- point lead (54-39). That was the game, as Philadelphia couldn’t get within 12 points the rest of the way as North Alabama cruised to a 28-point win.

UNA plays at Division I Louisiana on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before openng its home season at Flowers Hall on Saturday against Nova Southeastern in the Marriott Shoals Tipoff Classic.

11.06.07

SECOND HALF THE DIFFERENCE IN LOSS TO ALABAMA

The North Alabama men’s basketball team was able to match the Alabama Crimson Tide basket-for-basket in the first half before succumbing to the size and depth of the major Division I program over the final 20 minutes during a 99-71 exhibition loss Monday at Coleman Coliseum.

Less than 24 hours after playing at ninth-ranked Indiana, the Lions kept the game against the Tide close early on. UNA took a brief 41-39 lead in the final two minutes of the first half, and a free throw by Doug Hunter gave the Lions a

42-41 advantage with 35 seconds remaining. Alabama, however, was able to regain the lead at the half on a dunk by Alonzo Gee as time expired.

The final 20 minutes belonged to UA as the Tide opened the second half on a 26-0 run. The Lions missed 11 straight shots and committed seven turnovers before a three-pointer by Quinn Beckwith gave UNA its first points of the half at the 11:07 mark. By that time, Alabama had built a 69-45 advantage.

Beckwith finished the game seven-of-17 from the floor with a game-high 24 points. Casey Holt added 10 points to round out the Lions’ top scorers. UA had five players reached double digits in scoring, including 18 from Richard Hendrix.

11.05.07

LIONS FALL AT INDIANA

The University of North Alabama men's basketball team made a run at Indiana in the second half but the Hoosiers were too powerful down the stretch as the Lions dropped a 121-76 exhibition game in front of 17,109 fans at Assembly Hall.

Indiana freshmen Jordan Crawford and Eric Gordon combined for 54 point to lead the ninth ranked Hoosiers.

Indiana started slow in the second half, and when UNA's Isaac Gay hit a three-pointer with 15:35 left in the game, the Hoosier lead was cut to 64-50. A Crawford three-pointer started an 18-6 run over a three-minute span and the Hoosiers never looked back

UNA trailed 55-39 at the half but was outscored 66-37 in the second half.

Overall, six players scored in double figures as IU shot 60.0 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from three point range.

Casey Holt led UNA with 19 points. Gay had 17 and Quinn Beckwith 12. UNA was just 28 of 75 from the floor for 37 percent and made eight of 30 three-point attempts. Beckwith led UNA with six rebounds and Andrew Chesney added five.

Crawford scored 30 and knocked down 10 of 11 shots, including all six of his three-point attempts. He also added five rebounds and three assists. Gordon, who chipped in 24, made 10 of 16 from the floor and hit two long distance shots

Indiana's Armon Bassett scored 18 points and had five assists, senior D.J. White added 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.

As a team, Indiana outrebounded North Alabama, 48-34, and had 24 assists, eight blocks and 13 steals.

10.22.07

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL

According to the head coaches, fans should expect the Gulf South Conference Men’s Basketball race to be very similar to last season. The University of North Alabama was picked to finish second in the recent poll and received two first place votes. The defending Conference Champions, Montevallo were named the pre-season favorite followed by UNA, Valdosta, Alabama-Huntsville, W. Georgia, W. Florida and W. Alabama.

Quinn Beckwith also received some attention from the GSC coaches as he was selected to the East Division Pre-Season Team. The junior guard from Tuscumbia, AL averaged 15.2 points per game and is the leading returning scorer for the Lions.

UNA opens its season with two exhibition games versus the University of Indiana (Nov. 4th) and the University of Alabama (Nov.5th). The regular season begins with the Disney Tip-Off Classic in Orlando, FL. UNA plays NCAA runner-up and pre-season #1 Winona State in the first game followed by Assumption and Philadelphia. The home opener for the Lions will be November 17th as UNA tips-off the Marriott Shoals Classic against Nova Southeastern University in the opening game and will play Miles College the second day. Alabama-Huntsville will also participate in the Marriott Shoals Classic.