MANHATTAN, Kan. (December 2, 2023) – The University of North Alabama took Kansas State to the wire and nearly pulled off an upset against an 2022 Elite Eight finalist, falling 75-74 in an overtime heartbreaker inside Bramlage Coliseum. 

 

North Alabama (4-4) led for over 31 minutes and led by as many as 13 points, but K-State battled back to tie it late in regulation. The Lions had an opportunity to win in regulation, but K-State (6-2) escaped a pair of scoring threats. 

 

K-State’s largest lead of just eight points came in an 8-0 run to start overtime, but UNA pulled back within one point with 2.0 seconds remaining and had a chance to win it at the buzzer. The full court heave was on-line, but too powerful. 

 

The Lions battled foul trouble with a noticeably unbalanced second half, losing forwards Dallas Howell, Damian Forrest and Tim Smith Jr. to foul outs before the end of regulation. K-State shot 48 free throws in the game, while UNA was only granted 28 opportunities. 

 

While the abundance of free throws aided K-State, the Lions created their own way with tenacious defense and a strong shooting day behind the arc. UNA went 10-28 from downtown, while limiting K-State to just 3-18. 

 

The key individuals for UNA were sophomore Jacari Lane and junior Detalian Brown with 19 points each. Lane had his first career double-double with a career-high 11 assists, while going 11-14 from the charity stripe. Brown went 6-12 behind the arc for his second straight 19 point game. Smith Jr. finished with 15 points, including a pair of clutch triples late in the game. 

 

Another key player for the Lions, Forrest finished with seven points and 10 rebounds. His presence was key, as he finished the game with a plus/minus rating of +21. The next-leading player from either team was K-State’s Dai Dai Ames with a +6. 

 

Wil Soucie added eight points and seven boards, serving as an early spark plug for UNA. 

 

K-State was led by five players in double figures, including Tylor Perry with 16 points and the game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds to go in regulation. 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

 

UNA led 31-23 at halftime with a tenacious defensive effort, eventually taking a 13-point lead in the second half. K-State tied things up at 44-44 with about 10 minutes to go, and from there, the lead swapped a couple of times. UNA led most of the way, including the final minute. 

 

With eight seconds to go, Perry hit a game-tying three-pointer for Kansas State to make it 65-65. UNA quickly inbounded and had an opportunity to win it at the other end, but a layup attempt by Jacari Lane was heavily contested and no foul was called. Junior guard Detalian Brown got a three-pointer off with under a second left, but it missed off the glass to force overtime. 

 

K-State had full momentum to start overtime and took its largest lead of the game at eight points — 73-65. The Lions got a spark from Brown, who converted a four-point play on a three-pointer and a foul. The game went on to become 75-74 after a desperation three by true freshman Canin Jefferson, giving UNA life. After two missed free throws from K-State at the other end, Brown heaved up a full court prayer that was on-line, but missed off the shot clock. 

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

 

• The Lions won the battle on the boards, outrebounding K-State 44-36. Of the 44 rebounds for UNA, 15 came on offense with a number of hustle plays to keep possessions alive.  

 

• UNA held K-State below its season average in offensive rebounding, which ranked fourth in the nation.   

 

• UNA also held K-State below its season average in scoring, despite going to overtime. 

 

• UNA held K-State to 23 points in the first half, the fewest allowed by a K-State opponent this season. The only two K-State opponents to accomplish this last season were West Virginia (21) and Iowa State (23). 

 

• Both teams were even on field goals with 35 percent shooting, but UNA also finished 35 percent behind the arc (10-28) while limiting K-State to 16 percent (3-18). 

 

• UNA led for 31:28 of game time. K-State led for just 7:47. 

 

• There were six lead changes and six tied scores.  

 

• K-State had a 19-3 advantage in fast break points, as UNA did the majority of its work in half court sets. 

 

• Both teams finished with 13 assists and seven steals. Lane and Perry each had three steals and led their respective teams in assists. 

 

• K-State nearly doubled UNA’s free throw opportunities with 20 more trips to the line. 

 

• All eight Kansas State players drew at least one foul from a UNA player. 

 

• Today marked the second overtime game for UNA this season. 

 

 

COMING UP NEXT 

 

The Lions return home for “Elementary Day” inside CB&S Bank Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. 

 

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