VALDOSTA, Ga. – Behind 21 points from senior Brittany Carannante, the Saint Leo women’s basketball team (7-4) upended in-region foe Valdosta State University (5-6), 63-57, Thursday evening from The Complex in Valdosta, Ga. The Lions have won four consecutive games, and in the process snapped a two game losing streak to the Blazers.
Carannante collected her team-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including five three-point baskets. Lauren Lee was also dominant in the scoring department as she registered 18 points while tying Chanele Patton with a game-best eight rebounds.
In the most telling stats of the night, the Lions connected on 9-of-16 three-point field goals and committed a season-low nine turnovers.
Saint Leo put together a very impressive first half, outscoring the Blazers by 17 over the first 20 minutes. A back and forth contest to begin the game, the Lions went on a 17-6 run to gain a 14 point lead, behind a trio of three-point baskets from Carannante and Joanna Bussa. The Green & Gold continued their inability to miss as they spent the final 3:22 of the half outscoring Valdosta 12-6 to into the locker room with a commanding lead.
Out of the break, the Blazers caught fire as Brittany Ferguson and Courtney Mitchell led a 15-0 charge to cut the lead to four, 38-34. Minutes later, the Blazers continued their aggressive play around the basket as three consecutive layups capped an 8-3 rally and gave Valdosta State their first lead since the opening moments of the game.
The lead was short lived as Jamarra Robinson scored three-straight Lions’ points to sway the lead back to the visitor’s. Despite Valdosta’s final attempt at regaining the lead, Carannante and Lee sealed the contest as they struck for three consecutive three-point field goals to swing the final verdict on the side of the Lions.
Defensively, the Lions man-to-man defense shinned as they only allowed the Blazers to score six points over the final seven minutes.
Collectively, the Lions outshot the Blazers 38.6 percent to 38.2 percent and outscored the home standing team’s bench, 14-11.
A two day break awaits the Lions before they open the New Year and home Sunshine State Conference action on Sunday, January 2 against conference foe Lynn University. Tip-off for the women’s game is set for 2:00 p.m.
