JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The North Alabama Lions edged the North Florida Ospreys 56-54 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at UNF Arena. North Alabama built a 32-28 halftime lead and maintained a narrow advantage through a low-scoring second half. The Lions’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter, scoring only seven points, but their defense held as North Florida’s final rally fell short. The ASUN Conference matchup drew an attendance of 701. With the win, North Alabama improved to 7-9 overall. North Florida dropped to 6-10.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by grit than grace, the North Alabama Lions escaped UNF Arena with a narrow 56-54 victory over the North Florida Ospreys in an ASUN Conference women’s basketball game on Thursday night. The contest, played before an intimate crowd of 701, saw both teams endure prolonged offensive droughts and combine for 35 turnovers. North Alabama built a substantial early lead only to watch it evaporate, requiring a final defensive stand in the game’s chaotic closing seconds to secure the win. North Alabama established control from the opening tip, leveraging an aggressive start to build a 19-12 lead after the first quarter. The Lions extended their advantage to 32-28 by halftime, but the offensive flow for both sides was consistently disrupted. The third quarter offered more of the same, with North Alabama maintaining a slim 49-41 edge heading into the final period. The fourth quarter became a tense, low-scoring affair. North Florida’s defense clamped down, holding the Lions to just seven points in the frame. The Ospreys chipped away at the deficit, drawing even and then taking brief leads through free throws. With the game tied at 54 and under a minute to play, North Alabama’s Katie Criswell converted two crucial free throws following a flagrant foul to put the Lions ahead 56-54 with 1:49 remaining. Those would prove to be the final points of the game. In the ensuing possessions, both teams committed turnovers under intense defensive pressure. North Florida had a final chance to tie or win in the waning seconds. After a missed Osprey layup and an offensive rebound, Alexa Washington’s put-back attempt in the paint was emphatically blocked by North Alabama’s Sofia Ceppellotti with just three seconds left. A subsequent held ball gave possession back to North Alabama, allowing them to inbound and run out the clock. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 17 seconds. With North Alabama clinging to its two-point lead, North Florida’ Washington drove for a layup that missed. Alonya Waldon secured the offensive rebound for the Ospreys, giving them a new shot clock and a chance to set up a final play. Out of a timeout, Washington again attacked the basket, but Ceppellotti’s clean, game-saving block preserved the lead and ultimately the victory for the Lions. India Howard led North Alabama with 12 points, four assists and three blocks, providing crucial interior defense. Katie Criswell added a game-high 16 points, including the decisive free throws. For North Florida, Alonya Waldon and Jamison Cardwell each scored 12 points, while Elle Blatchford contributed 11 points. Statistically, the game was a testament to defensive effort and offensive inefficiency. North Alabama shot 41.5% from the field but only 23.5% from three-point range. North Florida struggled profoundly, shooting 29.3% overall and a frigid 13% from beyond the arc. The Ospreys kept themselves in the game by making 17 of 22 free throws and forcing 18 Lions turnovers, but their own 17 turnovers and poor shooting ultimately proved insurmountable. With the win, North Alabama improved to 7-9 overall. North Florida fell to 6-10. Both teams return to ASUN action on Saturday, with the Lions traveling to face Jacksonville and the Ospreys hosting Central Arkansas.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the ASUN Conference race will meet when the North Alabama Lions visit the North Florida Ospreys in a women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Both teams enter with identical 6-9 overall records. North Alabama (1-1 ASUN) is coming off a 67-52 home victory over Bellarmine on Saturday, while North Florida (1-1 ASUN) earned a 64-51 road win at Queens (N.C.) the same day. The Lions are led by forward Gabby Jackson, who is coming off a dominant double-double performance. In the win over Bellarmine, Jackson logged 28 minutes, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. She has been a consistent force, averaging 36 minutes and 14.2 points over her last three conference games. North Florida counters with guard Alonya Waldon, who is riding a wave of high-scoring performances. Waldon poured in 21 points in the win at Queens and followed a 24-point outing in a loss at West Georgia on Jan. 8. Her scoring surge has provided a critical spark for the Ospreys’ offense. The matchup at UNF Arena features two squads looking to climb above .500 in league play. North Alabama’s victory over Bellarmine snapped a three-game losing streak, with India Howard (14 points, 7 rebounds) and Alexsandra Alvarado (14 points, 4 assists) providing key support. North Florida’s win at Queens also halted a three-game skid, aided by a 20-point effort from Alexa Washington alongside Waldon. Historically, the series has been tightly contested, adding another layer to this early conference showdown. The team that can establish consistency beyond its top performers will likely gain the upper hand in this pivotal January contest. Following this game, North Alabama will travel to face Jacksonville on Saturday, Jan. 17. North Florida will remain at home to host Central Arkansas the same day.