FLORENCE, Ala. – Despite 46 points in the paint and a career-high in scoring from Hope Counts, the the Lipscomb University Women's Basketball team, the Bisons suffered a 68-63 loss to the University of North Alabama, Saturday night from CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall. 

Final Score: North Alabama 68, Lipscomb 63
Location: Florence, Alabama (CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall)
Records: Lipscomb (9-18, 6-10), North Alabama (15-12, 10-6)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Six ties and three lead changes was the story in the opening quarter. Ahead 14-13 late in the final minutes of the opening quarter by Taylor Bowen's field goal, UNA took a 16-14 lead after the first quarter. 

In the second, after Lipscomb started out cold from the field, they went 9-of-17 in the period that saw 16 of its 22 points converted in the paint. Trailing 22-16, the Bisons used an 11-0 run to make it a 27-22 advantage with 4:45 left in the half. 

The Bisons, after free throws by Molly Heard, went into the half with a 36-31 lead. 

Even though Lipscomb made it a 38-31 lead with a Hope Counts second-chance shot, the Lions trimmed the deficit down to one, 49-48 late in the third. 

In the fourth, the Lions scored the first five points of the period to make it a four-point game, 53-49, with 8:51 left.

Counts kept the Bisons in it with her back-to-back layups to lead 59-57 at the five-minute mark. 

With 2:28 to go, Heard made it a one-point lead for the Bisons, 63-62 with a layup, but the Lions scored the final five points to secure the win. 

KEY STATISTICS
Hope Counts secured a career-best 19 points to lead all scorers on 8-of-13 shooting, adding nine rebounds and five blocks. 

McKayla Miller scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Molly Heard totaled 15 points, six rebounds and four steals. 

UP NEXT
The regular season will conclude at home for the Bisons with two more contests, hosting Bellarmine on Wednesday night. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Allen Arena.