CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Host Lee University shot 49.3 percent from the field on its way to an 84-53 win over Saint Leo University, Friday night at the Paul Dana Walker Arena. Saint Leo's offense was led by co-captains Gina Brierley and Ragen Dotson; Brierley opened her second season with 16 points and four rebounds, while Dotson added eight points to the mix, five of which were from the charity stripe.

"This certainly wasn't the start we wanted," said second year head coach Anthony Crocitto. "But we played a team that is full of veterans and certainly epitomizes where we would like our program to grow to in coming years. 

"It was neat to see us make some nice runs in the third quarter but in the end they wore us down and proved that they are in a better place than us right now. We believe that we got better in some respects today and we need to get better and more consistent in plenty of other areas tomorrow," concluded Crocitto.

Lee's hot handed stud, Erin Walsh tabbed 19-points. She was joined in double digit scoring by Carrie Cheeks (11) and Taylor Boggoss (10).

The Basics
Final Score: Lee University 84, Saint Leo 53
Location: Lee University | Cleveland, Tenn.
Records: Saint Leo 0-1 | Lee 1-0

How It Happened...
1Q | Gina Brierley cracked the goose egg at 4-1 with a good free throw. Lee continued its early run, reaching a 12-1, 11-point lead. The Lions capitalized on a timeout, returning to the hardwood with a five-point recovery thanks to Ragen Dotson's good three-pointer and a Brierley jumper. Lee tallied another four points before a quiet three-minutes. Saint Leo's Kamryn Kimmel broke the silence with a pair of free throws followed by Nikira Hooks with her own two. | Lee 21-12 |
2Q | Saint Leo opened round two with four-points from Brierley's bucket in the paint and Mary Redmond's work on the charity stripe. Lee's Erin Walsh lit up downtown with back-to-back deep ones (31-19). Lee struck again from beyond the arch, this time off the hand of Taylor Boggess (34-21). Nikira Hooks' sunk a free throw with two minutes remaining. Lee ended the half with a five-point run. | Lee 41-25 | 
3Q | Montia Moon showcased a three from the corner pocket in the opening minute. Brierley's good fastbreak bucket closed the gap to 13 points at 8:31. Dotson converted a free throw moving the score to 47-35 before the Flames answered with a six-point run. At 2:07, Lee's Taylor Boggess drilled two threes, putting the Lions in a 19-point hole. | Lee 62-41 |
4Q | Delaney Bernard's jumper ended the Flames streak at 8:29 (64-43). Nicky Widenski scored five points for the Flames in the fourth. Hooks ended the contest with a layup and good free throw. | Lee 84-53 |
 
Points to Note

• Gina Brierley recorded 16 pts., four rebounds in 30 minutes of play to led the Lion offense
• Saint Leo high scoring third quarter posted 16 points
• Nikira Hooks went 4-5 in free throws
• The Lions shot 30 FG%, 21 3-FG%, 69 FT%

For Lee

• Erin Walsh carried the offense with 19 points, going 5-11 on three-pointers
• The hot-handed Flames showcased 10 from downtown (10-29)
• Lee outshot Saint Leo 22-12 in the fourth quarter including a nine-point run
• Largest lead = 34 points in 4^th quarter at 1:18
• Recorded a team 49.3 FG%, 54 FT%

Saint Leo continues play in the GSC/SSC Challenge on Saturday, November 11, at 1:00 p.m., when the Lions face the Shorter University Hawks.

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.