FLORENCE, Ala. – Trailing by as many as 13 points at halftime, the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team stormed back to complete an 80-78 comeback victory over North Alabama on Thursday night inside CB&S Bank Arena.
 
Sophomore guard Liz Freihofer led the way with 26 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting performance, knocking down five 3-pointers. Freihofer logged 38 minutes and narrowly missed a double-double, adding eight rebounds.
 
With the win, EKU improves to 12-4 overall and remains unbeaten in Atlantic Sun Conference play at 3-0, securing its fourth road victory of the 2025-26 season. The Colonels are only one of two remaining unbeaten teams left in the league.
 
Despite battling foul trouble that limited her to just 19 minutes, reigning ASUN Player and Newcomer of the Week Joseana Vaz contributed 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including a 3-pointer.
 
Senior guard Ndidiamaka Ndukwe rounded out the Colonels in double figures, scoring 11 points with two 3-pointers and a 3-for-4 showing at the free-throw line.
 
Senior guard Althea Kara Angeles flirted with a triple-double, finishing with nine points, five rebounds and four assists, while freshman guard Kenleigh Woods added nine points and a career-best six assists.
 
As a team, EKU shot 53.7 percent from the field, connected on eight 3-pointers, won the rebounding battle 30-23 and scored 40 points in the paint.
 
North Alabama (5-9, 0-3 ASUN) controlled much of the opening quarter. Vaz knocked down a 3-pointer and scored inside to keep EKU within striking distance, but a late 3-pointer from Gabby Jackson and a basket in the final seconds sent the Lions into the first break with a 26-22 lead.
 
Freihofer opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, but North Alabama answered with consistent scoring from Katie Criswell and Jackson before Brooke Hallman buried a late 3 to extend the margin. The Lions outscored EKU 22-13 in the quarter to take a 48-35 lead into halftime.
 
EKU responded immediately after the break. Vaz scored in the paint and Freihofer attacked the rim as the Colonels chipped away at the deficit. After North Alabama briefly pushed the lead to its largest at 14 points, EKU rattled off a 13-0 run fueled by drives, turnovers and free throws, trimming the margin to 63-56 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Colonels finally pulled even and took their largest lead at 71-68 on a Freihofer 3-pointer with 4:03 remaining. The game turned into a possession-by-possession battle down the stretch.
 
Vaz delivered in the closing moments, scoring on a tip-in before knocking down the go-ahead jumper with 24 seconds left to give EKU the edge.
 
North Alabama had a chance to tie, but Jackson missed a layup with 11 seconds remaining. Freihofer secured the defensive rebound, and after a late scramble, the Lions turned the ball over in the final seconds as EKU held on for the 80-78 victory.
 
EKU will continue its road swing on Saturday afternoon at Central Arkansas. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET in Conway, Arkansas, with the game streamed on ESPN+.