SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team fought tough with the visiting Florida Tech Panthers, but the Lions were unable to edge the Sunshine State Conference foe, falling 55-45.

The Lions strong defense held the visitors to just 23-percent shooting in the game.

The Basics
Final Score: Saint Leo 45 | Florida Tech 55
Location: Bowman Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
Records: Saint Leo 5-20, 1-13 | FIT 18-7, 12-4

How It Happened 
1Q | Florida Tech jumped out to an early, 7-2 lead, but the tides turned. Saint Leo responded with a 7-2 run of their own as Megan Leslie and Izabell Skoogh hit back-to-back jumpers. Saint Leo saw four different players contribute in the quarter. | 9-9 |

2Q | The Lions maintained close to the Panthers, countering shot for shot. The difference for FIT came at the free throw line where they scored four points. Saint Leo got four points in the quarter from Asia Royster, while adding two form Abby Peterson and one from Springs. | FIT 19-16 |

3Q | Saint Leo was able to hold the visitors to just 13 points on 25-percent shooting in the period. The visitors went 2-5 from the field. The Lions were able to shoot 50-percent, while hitting 2-4 on three including a buzzer-beating three from Mary Redmond. | FIT 32-31|

4Q |  The Panthers opened the final period on a 9-0 run, taking a 10 point lead, largest of the game. The Lions fought back, going back and forth with FIT, but were unable to get closer than seven points the rest of the way. The Lions scored five points in the final 40-seconds to keep the game within 10. | FIT 55-45 |

Points to Note

• Springs and Royster both tallied nine points, while Springs grabbed eight rebounds and Royster dished out four assists.
• The Lions shot 45.8-percent in the second half, and out-rebounded the Panthers, 46-45.
• Saint Leo dished out 12 assists.

For the Panthers

• Three different players scored in the double figures for the visitors, led by Shequana Harris with 15. Off the bench, Diamond Cooper added 14, while DeLise Williams added 11.
• The Panthers shot just 23.1-percent in the game.

Up Next
Saint Leo travels to Rollins for the final road game of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 PM.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's basketball team, 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.