FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and missed opportunities, the North Alabama Lions narrowly escaped with a 63-60 victory over the Queens Royals in an ASUN Conference women’s basketball clash on Thursday night at Flowers Hall.

The Lions, who improved to 9-9 overall, saw a commanding 13-point first-quarter lead evaporate before holding off a late Queens rally to secure the win. The Royals, who fell to 7-11, staged a furious second-half comeback but ultimately could not overcome a frigid start and a series of costly turnovers.

North Alabama appeared poised for a rout early, capitalizing on Queens’ offensive struggles to build a 19-10 lead after the first quarter. The Royals shot just 4 of 17 from the floor in the opening period and committed four turnovers, allowing the Lions to establish control. The defensive intensity continued in a sloppy second quarter, where both teams combined for only 16 points. North Alabama managed just six points in the frame, but Queens could only trim the deficit to five, trailing 25-20 at halftime after a 3-pointer from Ana Barreto beat the buzzer.

The game turned dramatically in the third quarter. Queens found its offensive rhythm, erupting for 21 points behind the scoring of Magda Freire and Jermany Mapp. The Royals’ defense also intensified, forcing eight North Alabama turnovers in the period. A 3-pointer from Freire, followed by a jumper from Mapp, capped a 13-4 run that gave Queens its first lead since the opening minutes at 40-39 with 2:56 left in the third. The period ended with the Lions clinging to a 43-41 advantage, setting the stage for a tense final quarter.

The fourth quarter featured five lead changes and two ties as neither team could gain separation. Queens took its largest lead at 48-45 after a Hannah Hicks layup with 6:51 remaining. North Alabama responded with an 8-0 run, keyed by a 3-pointer from reserve Greta Ramon and a jumper from Sofia Ceppellotti, to reclaim a 53-48 lead with 5:25 to play.

The most critical sequence came in the final minute. With North Alabama leading 61-60, Queens had a chance to take the lead, but Jermany Mapp’s jump shot with 50 seconds left missed. On the ensuing possession, the Lions worked the clock before Gabby Jackson’s attempted jumper was blocked by Freire with 16 seconds remaining, giving the Royals life. After a timeout, Queens designed a play for a potential game-winning 3-pointer, but Mapp’s attempt from beyond the arc was off the mark with one second left.

India Howard secured the defensive rebound for North Alabama and was immediately fouled. She calmly sank both free throws with 0.7 seconds on the clock to extend the lead to 63-60. Queens’ desperation heave was unsuccessful, sealing the Lions’ victory.

Howard, a sophomore from Coppell, Texas, led North Alabama with 14 points off the bench, including the decisive free throws. Sofia Ceppellotti of Udine, Italy, also scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. Gabby Jackson added 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for the Lions, who shot 42.3% from the field but were hampered by 18 turnovers.

Queens was led by Magda Freire of Lisbon, Portugal, who scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half. Jermany Mapp and Dayuna Colvin each contributed 12 points, with Colvin adding four assists. The Royals shot just 35.4% from the floor and were outscored 12-4 in points off turnovers in the second half, a key factor in the outcome. Despite winning the offensive rebounding battle 9-3 and forcing those 18 Lions turnovers, Queens’ own 11 giveaways and 5-of-18 shooting from 3-point range proved costly.

North Alabama next travels to face Central Arkansas on Saturday. Queens continues its road trip at West Georgia on Saturday.