With under 10 seconds to go in the game, the North Alabama women’s basketball team trailed Delta State 55-52 with possession, but could not get the three points as they dropped their first game at Flowers Hall this season Jan. 28.

Had the Lions found a way to tie up the game, head coach Missy Tiber said the outcome would have been different.

“Had that game gone a minute longer, we would’ve beat them,” she said. “We were not a reflection of who we are today, and that’s disappointing. We just need to get better.”

The Lions were without junior guard KeKe Gunter today as she underwent concussion protocol and had to sit out.

Tiber said Gunter will miss road games against Alabama-Huntsville and Lee, and her best chance to return to the lineup will be UNA’s next home game against Shorter Feb. 2.

UNA came out uncharacteristically slow — not scoring a field-goal until over seven minutes in to the game. The Lions were never able to overcome their early struggles as they never led or tied the game.

Freshman guard Ivy Wallen led UNA in scoring with 17 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter.

“We got out to a slow start,” Wallen said. “We fought at the end. I just wish we fought sooner.”  

The Lions will have little time to reflect on this loss, as they will have one day of rest before traveling to rival UAH Jan. 30.