Strode sparks Lions past Tigers

FLORENCE - Jared Strode had 25 of his game-high 31 points in the first half as North Alabama cruised to a 90-64 victory over Ouachita Baptist Saturday evening at Flowers Hall.

Strode hit three straight 3-pointers in a span of 1:02 in the opening stanza to begin the rout. He helped the Lions close the half on a 25-11 run as the Lions took a 47-20 lead into halftime.

"Strode was very active for us in the first half," coach Bobby Champagne said. "We got in a little foul trouble in the post and went with a smaller lineup. He did a good job at the four spot and really attacked the basket."

Champgane said a change in defenses also helped the Lions get the momentum in the first half.

"We got in our 2-3 zone and did a good job in it." he said. "We did a much better job contesting shots and rebounding. We went back to it later in the second half and did a good job in it again."

In the second half, UNA led by as many as 33 points

as three other players reached double digits in scoring. Jacobe Shannon added 15 points for the Lions while Rory Miller and Eric Wormely tossed in 10 points each. Austin Mitchell paced Ouachita Baptist (0-2) with 17 points.

UNA was 16-for-30 in each half to finish at 53.3 percent from the floor. The Lions were also 10-for-22 from 3-point range, including four each from Strode and Shannon.

Trent McCants come off the bench to contribute six assists for the Lions. Strode also had six of UNA's 18 steals.

"Everybody came in and contributed tonight," Champagne said. "Trent and Jacobe were very active in our zone and gave us some energy. Trent also did a good job pushing the ball up the floor and helping us get some baskets in transition."

The Lions will be off a week before traveling to Christian Brothers next Saturday for a 6 p.m. tip-off. The Bucs defeated the Lions 78-65 at Flowers Hall on Nov. 15 to open the season.

FLORENCE - Ouachita Baptist shot 47.6 percent from the floor and had three players reach double digits in scoring during a 86-67 victory over the North Alabama women.

The Tigers (3-1) grabbed a 39-31 lead at the half and outscored UNA 47-36 over the final 20 minutes.

Lacy Lewis led UNA (2-4) with 19 points, with 13 coming in the first half. Sanqueeta Meardith also reached double figures with 15 for the Lions while Niala Harris added 12 points and six rebounds. OBU's Gaby Coleman led all scorers with 21 points.

North Alabama was able to stay within striking distance with 3-point shots, hitting nine for the game. The Tigers, however, held a 51-40 edge in rebounding and scored 13 second-chance points. The OBU bench also outscored their UNA counterparts 53-35.

UNA will play at Spring Hill College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.