Lions use strong second half to win on senior day

Guard Jennifer Towne drives to the goal against the University of Alabama-Huntsville Feb. 28. The Lions won 76-64. The Lions honored Towne, Corinne White, Makena Randle, Lauren Farris and Kaseama Ashbourne on senior day.

The Lions defeated conference rival the University of Alabama-Huntsville 76-64 Feb. 28 in what was the last game for many members of the UNA basketball team at Flowers Hall.

“It was a very special day for all the seniors that are on the team,” said head coach Missy Tiber. “I’m glad they were able to win their last game here at Flowers Hall.”

The Chargers outplayed the Lions the first 20 minutes of the game and took a 38-31 lead into the second half.

“We were down seven points at halftime, and I really lit into the girls at the half and told them they need to pick it up,” Tiber said.

Senior forward Corinne White led the Lions by scoring 17 points on just seven shot attempts, while making four of her six three point attempts.

“Senior night is always a big night for the seniors and getting to play UAH one last time and winning just made it that much sweeter,” White said.

White did much of her damage in the second half, scoring 15 of her 17 points to rally the Lions.

“In the second half, our team brought a lot of energy and I just fed off that,” she said. “My role is to knock down shots, my teammates put me in good position to score and fortunately I was able to deliver.”

Junior guard Jennifer Towne chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Towne was also honored on senior day as she will forgo her senior season to pursue academic interest.

“Jen as been a big part of what we do,” Tiber said. She will be missed as a player and as a person.”

Towne made second-team All-Gulf South Conference this year.

She finished the regular season averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Senior forward Makena Randle scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Lions.

With the game well in hand and under 30 seconds to go, Tiber called a timeout and sent senior guard Lauren Farris into the game.

Farris, who was a second-team all conference member last season tore her ACL late last season and tore it again this year.

She is still rehabbing, but when her number was called and she went into the game to receive an inbound and immediately called timeout.

“It was a very emotional moment for me,” Farris said. I didn’t think I would tear up, but when they put me in, it was hard not to start crying.”

Farris entered the game to a standing ovation as she took the court for the last time in her collegiate career.

The Lions season ended after falling to the University of West Georgia 72-55 in the first round of the GSC tournament March 3.