SAINT LEO, Fla. – Florida Southern's early lead outlasted Saint Leo women's basketball in the Lions' home opener. Tied twice in the first, Saint Leo was unable to overtake its Sunshine State Conference (SSC) foe and dropped a 75-60 decision to the Mocs. Saint Leo moves to 1-2, 0-1 in the SSC.

The Basics
Final Score: Florida Southern 75, Saint Leo 60
Location: Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, Fla.
Records: Florida Southern 2-1, 1-0 SSC | Saint Leo 1-2, 0-1 SSC

How It Happened...
1Q | Florida Southern's five-point opening run didn't hold as the Lions tied up the game twice before the closing for the first 10 minutes. Ragen Dotson's pair of free throws combined with Mary Redmond's good three leveled the game at five points apiece (6:24). Despite the efforts, the Mocs answered with another five-points. Down by four, Madelin Lang won the hustle for a loose ball, connected with Gina Brierley, and finished the play with a good three-pointer; 12-11 (3:40). At 1:12, Dotson showcased a block, picked up the rebound and found Redmond. Redmond hit another three to tie the game at 14-14. | Florida Southern 17-14 |
2Q | Brierley posted two big threes to keep the game tight. Her first moved the game to 22-19 (7:06) followed by an encore three minutes later: 30-24 (4:18). Izabell Skoogh's drive and one closed the Mocs lead to a single possession: 30-27 (2:18). Savannah Scott added another two for the Lions' in a clutch layup assisted by Brierley. | Florida Southern 37-31 |
3Q | The Mocs opened with seven unanswered points. Florida Southern's Anja Fushs-Robertin, Camille Giardina, Jensen Blassage all contributed to the visitors' 17-point quarter. Mary Redmond drained one from deep downtown: 44-34 (5:59). Redmond struck again with another three: 48-39 (4:32). Late in the quarter, the Lions offensive outshot the Mocs 10-4 to cut Florida Southern's lead to six. Saint Leo edged Florida Southern in the third quarter scoring battle: 18-17 | Florida Southern 54-49 |
4Q | Dotson started the Lions off hot with a bucket beyond the circle: 57-52 (9:19). The Mocs were not fazed, continuing to hold the lead since tied at 14 in the first. Tyler Davenport's jumper cut Florida Southern's lead to three: 59-56 (6:52). Despite efforts, the Lions weren't able to complete the attempted comeback. | Florida Southern 75, Saint Leo 60 |

Points to Note

• Ragen Dotson posted big defensive game with 5 blocks
• Mary Redmond and Gina Brierley each tallied double figure points, with 16 and 14 points respectively. Both Lions sunk 4 three-pointers. Brierley had a perfect day around the circle going 4-4
• Three Lions grabbed six rebounds: Alani Gallagher, Gina Brierley, Nikira Hooks

For Florida Southern

• Anja Fuchs-Robetin (SSC WBB Player of the Week) recorded a double double: 22 points, 13 rebounds
• Camille Giardina scored 21 points, Jensen Blassage put up 18 points

Saint Leo continues play in the Sunshine State Conference on Saturday, November 18, when the Lions head to Embry-Riddle for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.

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.