SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team was haunted by a poor-shooting first quarter and were unable to recover from it despite an impressive third quarter performance, falling 68-51 at Eckerd in the opening Sunshine State Conference game of the season on Wednesday evening.
The Basics
Final Score: Eckerd def. Saint Leo, 68-51
Location: McArthur Center | Saint Petersburg, Fla.
Records: Saint Leo 1-2, 0-1 SSC | Eckerd 2-1, 1-0 SSC
How It Happened
1Q | A 14-4 run, and just an 18.2 shooting percentage forced the Lions to call a timeout with 2:20 left to play in the first. The Lions couldn't find a touch in the first quarter, finishing the period with just a 12.5-percent shooting from the field. | EC 21-6 |
2Q | Eckerd's shooting efficiency continued as they went four of five from deep. The score in the second quarter alone was 19-16 in favor of the Tritons, but the Lions went two of two from three-point, and out-rebounded Eckerd, 11-9, in the quarter. | EC 40- 22 |
3Q | Saint Leo picked up its defense out of the intermission, holding Eckerd scoreless over the first three minutes of the third quarter. Asia Royster's defense was a difference maker, forcing the Triton's ball handlers into turnovers and bad situations. Saint Leo also picked up its offense, shooting 50-percent in the third. Chelsy Springs hit the double-double mark in the third, finishing the period with 21 points and 11 boards. She helped the Lions close the gap to 7, but fouls plagued the fighting Lions, as free throw points totaled five of their nine points. Behind seven third quarter points from Izabell Skoogh, Saint Leo out-scored Eckerd 20-9 in the third. |EC 49-42 |
4Q | Eckerd opened up on a 13-4 run, limiting the Lions' touches. Senior Chachi Guzman fouled out with 8:04 remaining in the fourth, taking away one of the Lions top scores and distributers early in the game. Guzman finished the third and the game with six points, five rebounds, and a team-high five assists. Eckerd inflated their lead to 16 midway through the fourth, Royster's defense again helped close the gap, but ultimately it was not enough. The Tritons o
Points to Note
- Skoogh recorded her first double-digit game of her career, finishing with 14.
- Springs finished with her third-straight double-digit performance, and second straight double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
- Both team recorded 36 rebounds, but Saint Leo had 11 offensive, while Eckerd only had five.
Coach's Quotes
"This was a disappointing performance for us, and I say that because I know we are so much better than we performed. We aren't playing physical enough and we didn't execute. We are going to have games like this until we understand the importance of executing the game plan. In the positive, we accomplished our goal of being under 15 turnovers, only committing 14. Chelsy had a great game, but she can't carry the entire team every game. We are relying on her way too much, and we need others to step up and match her. We are at the point in our program where we have to earn respect, and that going to something we are going to have to continue to do, and we have to get better to do so."
For the Tritons
- Eckerd had three different players in double figures. Margaret Sundburg led with 14, Victoria Vine followed with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Kacie Juday finished with 10 points.
- Eckerd went to the line 36 time, but only connected on 19.
Up next
Saint Leo has its home opener versus Nova Southeastern on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 P.M.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's basketball, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
