FLORENCE, Ala. (November 6, 2023) – The Bank is open for business. 

 

The University of North Alabama men’s basketball team made its 2023-24 season debut inside CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall on Monday night, storming past Blue Mountain Christian for a 93-60 win in Florence. 

 

The Lions have won 13 straight home openers dating back to 2010 and have now won 10 of the last 14 home contests dating back to last season. UNA improves to 1-0 on the season, while tonight served as an exhibition for Blue Mountain Christian (1-2). 

 

The Toppers started hot in the first five minutes, stunning the Lions with an early 11-5 lead. Shortly after the first media timeout, the Lions got back-to-back-to-back dunks from Detalian Brown, Damian Forrest and newcomer Josiah Fulcher to shift the momentum back home.  

 

A triple by returning senior KJ Johnson before the first 10 minutes elapsed gave UNA a 21-20 lead and sparked an 8-0 that would give UNA the lead for good. By halftime, the Lions led 50-33 and outscored the Toppers 43-27 in the second half. 

 

All 15 players that dressed were involved for North Alabama, led by a double-double from graduate transfer forward Tim Smith Jr. with 19 points and 10 rebounds over 20 minutes of action. Smith went on a personal 8-0 run to end the first half with a layup and two treys. 

 

Johnson shined with 15 points, while Fulcher finished with 13 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting day, including one behind the arc. Coach Tony Pujol also mentioned during tonight’s post-game press conference the defensive effort of Fulcher, slowing down the Toppers early offensive attack. 

 

Joining Smith Jr. with double-digit rebound numbers was Forrest, who fell just two points short of a double-double at eight points and 10 rebounds over 20 minutes of action. He and Smith Jr. led the Lions in minutes, as all 15 players totaled less than a half of action. 

 

Twelve Lions made the scoresheet on Monday, and 12 also recorded at least one assist in a team effort. Six Lions added at least one steal, while center Eoin Nelson added a pair of blocks to go with one from sophomore guard Jacari Lane. 

 

Blue Mountain Christian was led by Ty Pickron with nine points, all of which came on the early run for the Toppers. 

 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

 

FIRST HALF: Smith Jr. scored the first basket of the year for North Alabama, but Blue Mountain Christian  — four games into its season — would make their presence felt with an early 11-5 lead thanks to three triples from Pickron. UNA chipped away at the deficit, which lasted just over five minutes, and then traded the lead a few times before Johnson’s triple started a short run.  

 

Up 29-23 heading into the second part of the half, the Lions began getting contributions all around and eventually took the lead to double digits at the 4:07 mark with two free throws and a three-pointer on the next possession from Lane. Smith Jr.’s 8-0 run ended with a triple with four seconds on the clock, extending the halftime lead to 17 points. 

 

SECOND HALF: UNA cruised from this point on, outscoring the Toppers by a 43-27 margin. UNA’s primary contributers in the second half were Smith Jr., fellow newcomer Marco Foster and returning junior Detalian Brown. Foster led the team with eight points in the second half, including a pair of three-pointers.  

 

Though he did not score in the half, true freshman Canin Jefferson facilitated things with a game-high three assists and three rebounds over 11 minutes. Other highlights from the half include the blocks by Nelson, another highlight reel dunk by Fulcher and a crowd-erupting three-pointer by former Mars Hill High School standout Hugh Hargett in his collegiate debut. 

 

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

 

• UNA finished with a steady 47.8 shooting percentage, making 33-69 from the floor and 11-23 behind the arc. Meanwhile, the defense allowed just 31 percent from the opponent, as BMC shot 20-63 on the night. 

 

• The Toppers started 3-5 behind the arc, but went on to finish just 5-16 in the game. 

 

• Five of UNA’s baskets came on dunks. 

 

• UNA dominated the paint, outscoring the Toppers 40-18. 

 

• Both teams scored 15 points on fast breaks, but the Lions were able to claim a 17-9 advantage in second chance points. 

 

• Of UNA’s 93 points, 42 came from the bench. 

 

• UNA led for over 32 minutes of game time, taking the lead for good midway through the first half. 

 

• KJ Johnson did not commit any fouls in the opener, but was on the receiving end of four. He went 5-6 from the free throw line. 

 

• Six — this is the number of free boneless wings that fans can retrieve at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Florence after every UNA win with the purchase of six wings. Fans are encouraged to show their ticket or the social media graphic to retrieve the offer. 

 

COMING UP NEXT 

 

The Lions return to CB&S Bank Arena on Thursday night for a marquee matchup with in-state rival Alabama A&M. Tipoff is set for Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in Florence. 

 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.