CoverItLive link - http://www.saintleolions.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/coveritlive

SAINT LEO, Fla. – After an inspiring road win over Valdosta State on Tuesday, the challenge for the Saint Leo men's basketball team only gets tougher as the Lions travel across the state and face Division I Stetson University on Saturday afternoon.

Tip off between the Lions and Hatters is set for 3 p.m. at the Edmunds Center in DeLand, Fla.

The Lions come in 2-1 on the young season, while the host Hatters are looking to bounce back from their first lost of 2011-12, a 79-66 setback to Florida State in Tallahassee.

Their last time out, the Lions rolled into Valdosta, Ga. and handed the host Blazers a 69-51 defeat in NCAA South Region action.  It was a game where the Lions outscored the Blazers 41-23 in the second half and took advantage of dominating post play with 17 of their 19 shots in the period coming inside the big arc.

The Lions are led by newcomer Trent Thomas, who got his first start against Valdosta State and is averaging 11/7 points per game.  Shaun Adams, who exploded for 24 points against the Blazers jumped into second place on the stats sheet with 10.7 points a contest.  He also leads the Green and Gold in rebounding averaging 6.7 boards per game.

Stetson sees three players in double figures led by Chris Perez who is connecting on 44 percent of his shots for a 12.3 points per game average.  A mere fraction of a point behind Perez is Adam Pegg with 12 points per game but his risky play has him with the team lead in turnovers (11) and fouls (13).  Aaron Graham is the team's leading rebounder with 7.7 boards and 10.3 points per game.

This marks the fourth meeting all-time between these two cross-state rivals with Stetson holding the 3-0 edge over the then-Monarchs.  The last time Saint Leo and Stetson squared off was November 30, 1991 with a 143-125 decision going the way of the Hatters.