SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo edged Ave Maria on the foul line with 3:26 left in the first quarter. That early lead lasted until the final buzzer and the Lions posting a 65-56 win over Ave Maria on Tuesday, December 5. The non-conference win raises Saint Leo's record to 3-6 overall. Ave Maria's record remains at 10-0 as the contest was an exhibition competition for the Gyrenes.
 
The Basics
Final Score: Saint Leo University Lions 65, Ave Maria 56
Location: Saint Leo University| Saint Leo, Fla.
Records: Saint Leo 2-6 | Ave Maria 10-0
 
How It Happened...
1Q | Trailing by one at 3:56 (13-12) at the media timeout, Saint Leo's Ragen Dotson sunk a pair of free throws, posting last lead change of the game. The Lions added to its 14-13 advantage with urgency. Nikira Hooks and Gina Brierley each tallied a fastbreak layup, moving the score to 18-13 at 2:37. | Saint Leo 22-16 |
2Q | Ave Maria slighted the Lions 21-20 in the second. Gyrenes Sarah Miller posted six points supported by Mallory Burton, Jasmine Bateman and Danielle Weinmann with four each. Brierley led the attack for the Lions with eight points. | Saint Leo 42-37 |
3Q | Ave Maria tied the game at 49-49 with two minutes remaining. Day Jackson shut the door on the Gyrenes advances with a bucket: 51-49. | Saint Leo 51-49 |
4Q | The lead continued to remain within a handful of possessions. With both programs in foul trouble, Izabell Skoogh came off the bench hot, sinking a three to keep the gap wide: 65-54. | Saint Leo 65-56 |
 
Points to Note

• Gina Brierley (14), Alani Gallagher (14) and Nikira Hooks (11) all scored double figures. Gallagher and Hooks each posted 9 rebounds to complement their big scoring day.
• Ragen Dotson posted 8 points supported by Delaney Bernard with two deep threes for her 6 points
• As a team, Saint Leo shot 45.3% from the field, 30% from around the arch, 61.1% on the line

 
For Ave Maria

• Lauren Gillingham (14) and Sarah Miller (14) led the offense. Both Gyrenes were also a big presence off the glass. Gillingham with 7 rebounds, Miller with 8
• Katie Houbolt and Jasmine Bateman helped efforts with 6 points each
• As a team, Ave Maria shot 34.6% from the field, 20% in three-pointers, 64.3% from the charity stripe

 
On Saturday, December 9 the Lions head to nationally ranked Sunshine State Conference opponent Rollins, tip-off at 3:00 p.m.
 
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