SAINT LEO, Fla. – Thanks to 12-2 second half run, the Saint Leo women’s basketball team (9-9), managed to overcome an 11-point second half deficit as they upended the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish (3-17), 65-59, in overtime Saturday afternoon from the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
In the non-conference slate, a trio of Lions scored in double figures. Lauren Lee led the group as she posted her sixth double-double of the season with game-highs in points, 21, and rebounds, 10. Chelsea Williams also had a solid offensive outing as she bucketed 14 points on 3-of-6 shooting while grabbing nine boards. In addition, freshman Chelsea Connelly registered a career-high 12 points in the win.
As a team, the Lions were able to get the free throw line 38 times, where they sank 25 of those attempts. Palm Beach, on the other hand, only saw 13 attempts all afternoon, helping the Lions preserve the come-from-behind win.
In a game that featured eight ties and eight lead changes, the Lions and Sailfish spent the majority of the first half exchanging baskets and the lead. Connelly got the Green & Gold moving in the right direction as she started the game with the Lions first four points, eventually helping them build a 13-12 lead. However, the Sailfish saw Loren Wilkins bury a three-pointer with 8:57 to play in the first half to regain control of the scoreboard.
The Lions stayed on Palm Beach’s heels the remainder of the half, but could never jump in front of the feisty visitor’s as they went into the halftime break up two, 26-24.
The second half saw Lee establishing herself on the low post as she registered four of the Lions first six point, en route to a 30-26 lead.
Despite the rejuvenated group, the Lions’ small margin was short lived as the Sailfish rocketed out on a 16-1 run, to go up 42-31 with under 10 minutes to play.
The Lions met the challenge with their most pivotal scoring stretch of the game, a 12-2 run to pull nearly even. The rally featured five different Saint Leo scorers and was highlighted by a pair of fast break layups by Kiara Bradley and Lee.
Another momentum shift allowed Palm Beach the chance to extend their lead out to seven with under four minutes left in regulation.
Lee, however, shouldered her teammates once again and cut the lead to two with one minute to go. With the Sailfish offense growing cold, the Lions’ Williams sank the back end of a two-shot free throw, putting the Lions down one with under a minute to play.
Saint Leo had multiple attempts in the waning moments to tie or take the lead but was unsuccessful until senior Jamarra Robinson took advantage of a Jordan Kong foul with one second left to play. The transfer hit the front end of the two-shot foul to send the game into overtime.
The up and down Lions soon found their stroke in the extra period as Williams and Lee started overtime with six consecutive points. The group expanded the lead to eight and iced the contest later with excellent free throw shooting to collect a hard-earned, come–from-behind win.
Despite getting out-rebounded, 48-37, the Lions were careful with the ball as they committed only 16 turnovers. The Lions’ defensive units also stepped up for as they forced the Sailfish to turn the ball over 27 times which they converted in 22 points.
The Lions will return to Sunshine State Conference action this Wednesday, January 26 when they travel to Miami Shores, Fla. to take on the Barry Buccaneers. Tip-off for the crucial conference tilt is set for 5:30 p.m.
