SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s basketball team used a nine-point spurt in the final 50 seconds to knock-off Armstrong Atlantic (2-1), 67-63, during day one of the Sleep Inn Classic, Friday evening from the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
The non-conference, regional slate saw the duo of Lauren Lee and Brittany Carannante tie for the team lead in points with 13. Jamarra Robinson came off the bench to score 11, while Keishara Green led all Lions with eight rebounds.
Despite being out-rebounded, 43-32, the Lions connected on three more three-point attempts (6-for-11), and outscored the Pirates, 28-12 in the paint. Saint Leo shot 38.3 percent (23-for-60) from the field and committed eight less turnovers than their opponents, 30-22. In addition, the Lions scored 21 of their points off of the 30 Pirate miscues.
Despite the disparity, it was Armstrong who dominated the pace of play for the majority of the first half, eventually gaining a game-high 10 point lead, 22-12, with 10:22 to play.
However, eight straight points by the Green & Gold, including five by Lee, shrunk the lead to two over the next three minutes. Armstrong held to its four-point advantage over the next five minutes, before a Chelsea Connelly lay-up at the 1:08 mark gave Saint Leo its first lead of the game.
Still holding on to their one point lead out of the halftime break, the Lions expanded the margin to their largest of the game, 39-33.
Saint Leo controlled the scoreboard, but could never cushion themselves more than a six point advantage, allowing Armstrong the opportunity to get back into the game. The Pirates did just that, as they constructed an 11-1 run over a three minute stretch to regain a five-point lead.
With Saint Leo now trailing, the Lions refused to surrender as they tied the game on three separate occasions with under 3:30 to play. In fact, going into the final minute of action Armstrong clung to a 62-58 lead.
The Green & Gold were not going to be denied; however, as they rallied-off nine of the final 11 points of the game to register the come-from-behind win. During the run, Saint Leo had five different scorers, including Chelsea Williams who solidified the win with a clutch rebound and layup.
The Lions will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, November 20, for day two of the Sleep Inn Classic. The Saint Leo will take on the University of Mary at 4:00 p.m., but will be preceded by Florida Southern-Armstrong Atlantic at 4:00 p.m.
