SAINT LEO, Fla. – Despite leading for a majority of the contest, the Saint Leo women's basketball team was defeated by No. 25 Nova Southeastern by a 65-61 final score on Senior Night at the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
The Lions conclude the regular season with a 9-17 overall record and a 4-12 tally in Sunshine State Conference play while the visiting Sharks improve to 21-5, 13-3 in SSC matchups.
Sophomore Aaliyah Ramirez carried her success at Eckerd on Wednesday into the Saturday contest against NSU. The guard posted a team-best 15 points, shooting 70% from the field while adding four rebounds and an assist.
Junior Chachi Guzman added 14 points and four rebounds to compliment Ramirez, shooting an even 50%. Senior Kinnara Lewis totaled eight points and six boards on the outing in her final contest at the Bowman Center. Fellow senior Melissa Jackson mirrored, netting eight points and five rebounds.
The Lions concluded the opening stanza with a 38-34 lead over the Nova Southeastern. Guzman totaled 11 points in the first half while Ramirez added 10 for the Green and Gold. Freshman Abby Peterson grabbed three rebounds before the break, as Saint Leo stymied the conference powerhouse.
Ramirez and Guzman carried their momentum into the second frame, concluding the contest with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Lions led through 30 minutes of the contest, before the Sharks came back to take the lead in the late minutes, concluding with a 65-61 defeat of the Lions.
Forward Jasmine Wilkins posted a game-high 19 points while Jessica Valley notched 11 rebounds to lead on the boards.
The Lions conclude regular season play and will be the eight seed in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, facing familiar foe Nova Southeastern (No. 1 seed) at noon on March 5th in the Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee, Fla.). Check www.saintleolions.com for coverage updates.
For more information on the Saint Leo women's basketball program, 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.
