North Alabama heads to Jacksonville State on Monday after showing signs of progress against No. 19 Ole Miss. The Lions led at halftime and won the rebounding battle before losing 72-51; now they’ll look to earn their first win in Jacksonville since the 1993-94 season.

By the Numbers
  • North Alabama lost to Ole Miss, 72-51, after leading 27-25 at halftime.
  • The Lions outrebounded Ole Miss, 36-29; freshman center Emma D’este grabbed 13 rebounds.
  • Jacksonville State is 16-16 in its most recent completed season and averaged 76 points across its first two games this season.
Yes, But

North Alabama’s strong first half and rebounding effort offer encouragement, but Ole Miss’s 47-point second half erased the lead. Jacksonville State also enters with home-court momentum, having won its first two home games this season.

State of Play
  • North Alabama visits Jacksonville State Monday at 6 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
  • The Lions beat the Gamecocks 66-54 last season, their first Division I-era win in the series.
  • D’este leads North Alabama with nine rebounds per game; Amy Kurkowski is coming off a career-high 11 points.
What’s Next

After Monday’s road game, North Alabama opens its home schedule against Fisk on Friday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m.

Bottom Line

The Ole Miss game showed North Alabama can compete early and control the glass; sustaining that level through the second half will be key against an unbeaten-at-home Jacksonville State team.