SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo Lions recovered from a cold second quarter in Wednesday's women's basketball non-conference game against the Flagler College Saints. Tied at 45 with seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Saints 31-point fourth quarter proved too much for the Lions. The 78-64 loss moves Saint Leo's overall record to 1-4 overall.

"Even though we were short-handed, this was still a disappointing loss," says head coach Anthony Crocitto. "We must value the basketball and cut down on our turnovers, we must find a way to get to the foul line, and we must hold the opponent to less than 70 points.
 
"I was pleased with the way Nikira Hooks Izabell Skoogh played in the second half. But, foul trouble with Hooks took away, what could have been, a career night.
 
"Our point guard play is suffering right now and we will find a way to get it better," continues Crocitto. "We are not getting into any flow offensively and that is hurting our defense as well. We did have some great strides with Day and Alani played some confident minutes but I got to figure this group out and do a better job as head coach and find a way to get it done.
 
"Our road only gets harder as we travel to regional champ, West Florida and play at home with Tampa. We will not quite, we will keep working and do our best to represent Saint Leo."


The Basics
Final Score: Flagler College Saints 78, Saint Leo University Lions 64
Location: Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, Fla.
Records: Flagler 2-1 | Saint Leo 1-4
 
How It Happened...
1Q | Nikira Hooks posted five points followed by Izabell Skoogh with three. Alani Gallagher's jumper assisted by Madelin Lang put the Lions up by three: 12-9 with 2:30 remaining. Lang found Savannah Scott inside who finished the play: 16-11 (1:37). | Saint Leo 16-13 |
2Q | A cold second quarter allowed the Saints to force a significant lead change. A 13-point opening run by Flagler buried Saint Leo 24-16. Saint Leo's Day Jackson finally shattered the ice with a bucket at 6:14, assisted by Tyler Davenport. Delaney Bernard's three pointer inside the last minute helped cut the deficit: 33-24. | Flagler 35-24 |
3Q | Saint Leo rallied to recover from the silent second. The Lions outscored the Saints 21-12 with buckets coming from six players, led by Izabell Skoogh with six points and Nikira Hooks with five. The Lions opened the quarter with a nine-point rally to tie the game at 35-35. With 23 seconds remaining, Alani Gallagher's good jumper leveled the boards again: 45-45. | Flagler 47-45 |
4Q | Nikira Hooks 10-point quarter was topped by Flagler's Bri Roberts 15-point performance in the fourth. After four lead changes, the Saints went marching on, displaying a 31-point quarter for the victory. | Flagler 78-64 |
 
Points to Note

• Nikira Hooks tallied 20 points, 9 rebounds going 8-11 FG, 2-4 3-FG, 2-3 FT
• Izabell Skoogh and Ragen Dotson each scored 11 points
• Skoogh had a perfect game around the circle going 2-2
• Saint Leo posted team 46 FG%, 31.3 3FG%, 62.5 FT%
• The Lions missed three on the roster due to injuries: Gina Brierley, Mary Redmond and Kamryn Kimmel

For Flagler

• Malaysia Robinson double double showcased 28 points, 13 rebounds
• Tiffany Hodge posted 9 points in the first, finished with 15 points
• Grabbed 42 rebounds over Saint Leo's 27 lead by Robinson, Rayven Wade (9) and Tabitha Odabe (8)
• Flagler posted team 46.6 FG%, 30.4 3FG%, 42.9 FT%

On Sunday, November 26 the Lions continue play at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Fla. The non-conference contest tips off at 2:00 p.m. against the Aagonauts (2-2).
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.