TAMPA, Fla. – Trying to snap a four-game conference losing streak, the Saint Leo women’s basketball team (7-8, 0-5 SSC) fell to the Tampa Spartans (11-2, 4-0 SSC) by the final score of 72-59, Wednesday evening from the Bob Martinez Sports Center.
Leading the charge for the Green Gold was Lauren Lee as she led the Lions in scoring for the eighth time this season with 13 points. In addition, Lee also grabbed five rebounds. Artigua Kilpatrick also had a solid night around the basket as she scored a career-high 10 points and tied fellow freshman Chelsea Williams for the team-high in rebounds at six. Brittany Carannante chipped in seven points, while leading the squad in assists with four.
Despite the Lions’ leaders, the Spartans took to an early lead and never looked back as they connected on half their shots (23-for-46) from the floor. Tampa also capitalized in the turnover department as they converted 19 Saint Leo miscuse into 23 points.
The Spartans took advantage of early first half turnovers as Tampa raced out to a 10-2 lead during the first five minutes. Despite the advantage, the Lions’ freshman Williams brought Saint Leo back to within three, 10-7, on a pair of layups as the Lions began to establish their presence on the low post.
However, the turnover bug continued to trip the Lions up as Tampa used a 16-2 run over the next six minutes to grab a 17-point lead with three minutes to play in the half.
Lee continued to keep the squad close as she single-handedly bucketed four consecutive points to cut the Spartans’ lead to 13 going into the break.
However, thanks to the precision perimeter shooting of Gianna Messina and Lindsey Watson, the Spartans continued to control momentum out of the locker room, spending the first five minutes of the second period on a 16-7 run to build a 19-point lead.
Back-to-back three-point baskets by the Lions’ pair of Joanna Bussa and Chanele Patton trimmed the lead back to 17, but unfortunately for the boisterous Lions’ faithful in attendance it was not enough.
After briefly shaving the lead to 15, the Spartans began to increase their advantage from the charity stripe as they hit 7-of-9 free throws until gaining a 21 point lead with 2:45 to go.
One more run by the Lions, led by the Carannante’s three-point shooting, over the final two minutes saw Saint Leo cut down the large lead to the final margin of 13.
The Lions did receive a steady stream of production from the bench as they outscored the Spartans, 23-4. The team also collected a pair of blocks and accounted for nine steals. Saint Leo shot 25.6 percent (21-for-59) from the floor, while both teams assembled 36 rebounds.
The Lions will return to the court on Saturday, January 15 when they host cross-state rival Rollins in SSC action. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
