FLORENCE – Jessi Smith scored a career-high 18 points and the University of North Alabama women's basketball team used a quick start to cruise to a 67-37 home win over Christian Brothers Thursday evening at Flowers Hall. The Lions broke a three-game losing streak by racing out to a 14-2 lead, hitting four three-point baskets in the first four minutes of action.
With the win, the Lions improve to 13-11 on the season with a 4-8 record in Gulf South Conference play. Christian Brothers falls to 5-19 overall and 2-10 in league play.
Smith and Dana Jackson had two three-pointers each in the opening spurt that gave UNA a lead it never relinquished. Smith finished the game 5-for-10 from long range while the Lions connected on 11 three-pointers on the night as a team.
After CBU closed the gap to 25-10 at the 6:05 mark, the Lions closed the half on a 15-2 run to take a 40-22 lead into the break. In the second half, the lead only grew.
Five different UNA players connected from long range over the final 20 minutes of play. The Lions finished with a 43-34 advantage in rebounding, 26 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers and 14 second-chance points. The Lion bench also contributed with 22 points on the night.
Jackson finished the game with 11 points for UNA.
Defensively, the Lions held CBU to under 30 percent shooting from the floor. The Buccaneers also went 1-for-8 from three-point range.
After wrapping up the home portion of its 2011-12 season, North Alabama will close out the regular season with a pair of GSC road games. The Lions will play at Delta State Saturday with tip-off set for 4 p.m.
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