HAMPTON, Va. – Saint Leo men's basketball came up short at NCAA Division I Hampton Monday night inside the Hampton University Convocation Center as the Pirates pulled away in the second half to take the contest 72-56, after a 33-33 haltime score. 
 
"It's good to go travel to play games around the centers," Head Coach Vince Alexander stated after the game against Hampton. "We would've liked to win the game, and we had it tied at the half, but we started switching out players and I think we missed some key shots that ultimately allowed us to fall behind."
 
The Lions, who were in Hampton for a game near Saint Leo University centers, were led by Drago Popovic. Popovic hauled in 11 rebounds while adding 13 points on the night.
 
"Drago [Popovic] played a good game. He attacked the rim; now we just need to get him to do that the rest of the season," Alexander added. "Yes, this might have been an exhibition game, but we missed some key shots, turned the ball over 13 times, and we have to continue working on our rebounding. We will look to rebounding and taking care of the ball before heading into our game against Tampa on Wednesday."
 
The Basics
Final Score: Hampton 72, Saint Leo 56
Location: Convocation Center | Hampton, Va.
Records: Saint Leo 5-5 | Hampton 3-3

How It Happened…
1H |  Hampton started out the game holding a one-point lead at the first media timeout, 6-5, and a two-point lead at the second media timeout, 10-8, before the Lions mounted a comeback and pushed the pace to take an 18-14 lead at the third media timeout. The Lions continued to push the pace and hold a lead going out to a 28-27 lead at the 3:47 media timeout before the Pirates were able to take a one-point lead, 32-31 with 1:13 to play. The Lions got off a hurried three at the buzzer, but it would not fall as the teams went into the break tied, 33-33. | Tied 33-33 |
 
2H | Hampton came out at the break on its home court and ran the lead out to 10 points with 11:58 to play, 49-39. Saint Leo would battle to keep the game at 10 with a Tyreece Brice three-pointer, 57-47 before the Pirates were able to maintain their lead and go on for the 16-point win. | Hampton 72-56 |
 
Points to Note

• The Lions move to 1-1 overall in game where the team plays near University centers after defeating Clayton State on Dec. 13, 2016 in the first game.
• Drago Popovic recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lions overall.

For Hampton

• The Pirates move to even, 3-3, on the year after the win.
• Hampton was led by Kalin Fisher who scored 22 points in 32 minutes of action, while finishing off his double-double with 10 rebounds.

Saint Leo returns to Sunshine State Conference play and home court action with a game against rival Tampa at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. The Lions and Spartans will tip following the women's game, scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
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