Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (February 7, 2007) – The Saint Leo women’s basketball team (6-16, 3-8 SSC) was downed 69-61 by Nova Southeastern University (8-15, 6-6 SSC) in a Sunshine State Conference game Wednesday night.
The Lions were led by Roni Carithers (Jr., Tampa, Fla.) who scored 14 points. Chemeka Amos (Sr., Zephyrhills, Fla.) and Amanda Holloway (Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) added 13 and 10 points, respectively in defeat for SLU.
A trio of Shark players was also in double figures, led by Jennifer Haven’s game-high 21 points. Amber Bishko added 16 points, while Mechelle Jones netted 15 points in the win.
Saint Leo put together a 10-2 run midway through the first half to open a seven-point margin. The Lions led by a game-high 10 late in the half before taking an 33-25 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, Saint Leo stretched its lead to as many as 11 points. However, NSU put together a 17-4 run to take a 48-46 lead with 5:55 remaining.
Saint Leo trailed by four with 1:44 left, but put together a 5-0 run highlighted by Jonelle Nieb’s (Sr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.) three-pointer with 55-seconds left that gave the visitors a one-point lead. NSU’s Brittany Evans then went 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 1.5 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period the Sharks took control, using a 9-0 run to run out to their largest lead of the night and secure a season series sweep.
Saint Leo will remain on the road for its next contest, as the Lions will travel to Melbourne, Fla. for another Sunshine State Conference game at Florida Tech. Opening tip is slated for 2:00 p.m.
