FLORENCE, Ala — Emanuel Littles posted career-high numbers in scoring and rebounding to lead the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team to a 99-51 win over Crowley’s Ridge College Thursday evening at Flowers Hall. The win gives UNA a 3-2 record on the season.
Littles, a junior from Lanett, had 20 points and 19 rebounds on the night. The rebounding total pushed him into the Top 10 of the program’s all-time list, passing Charles Cunningham for No. 10 with 563 career boards.
On Thursday, UNA started fast and never looked back. All five starters scored in the game’s first five minutes, including back-to-back baskets by Littles to give the Lions a 24-2 lead.
The Pioneers cut the deficit to 15 before another UNA surge pushed the lead to 25 by the end of the first half. After a putback by Mervin James made the score 36-16 with 7:55 remaining, UNA maintained at least a 20-point advantage the rest of the night.
North Alabama led by 27 before a steal and basket at the buzzer made the score 50-25 at the break. The Lions shot 41 percent in the opening 20 minutes, including six three-point baskets.
UNA quickly pushed the lead to 35 in the first three minutes of the second half. Six straight points by James gave the home team a 62-27 lead with 17:08 remaining. The lead later passed 40 points on a three-pointer by Detalian Brown at the 4:09 mark.
The largest lead of the night was the final score, following a trey from Dallas Howell in the final minute of play.
Five players reached double figures in scoring. James finished with 18 points and also posted a career-high total with 14 rebounds. For the game, the Lions held a commanding 65-40 advantage on the glass.
Jamari Blackmon and C.J. Brim added 13 points each while Payton Youngblood rounded out the top scorers for UNA with 12 points. Bo Roberson led Crowley’s Ridge (3-9) with 12 points.
UNA will host Freed-Hardeman on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Flowers Hall.