SAINT LEO, Fla. – A four-point third quarter handed the Saint Leo women's basketball team a 64-44 loss at Nova Southeastern on Saturday. The Sunshine State Conference opponents snapped a two-game losing skid in the decision, while the Lions losing streak hit four.

Freshman Alani Gallagher led Saint Leo's scoring with 14 points and added four rebounds to her workday. Sophomore Gina Brierley helped with 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Off the glass, senior Nikira Hooks grabbed six offensive rebounds, three defensive, in a game-high nine rebound performance.

Lions' Head Coach Anthony Crocitto said, "I certainly thought we improved today in many respects but that four-minute stanza after the break hurt us badly."

"Alani Gallagher continues to perform as a rookie offensively. We will continue to access her on both ends as she can be pretty special. Gina Brierley was solid across the board too."

"Our point guard play was better and our guards rebounded the ball better, which was part of what we wanted to do better today."

"I was proud that our fight was as solid when we were winning and our chemistry was genuine," concluded Crocitto."
 
The Basics
Final Score: Nova Southeastern University Sharks 64, Saint Leo University Lions 44
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Rick Case Arena
Records: NSU 9-6, 5-4 SSC | Saint Leo 7-10, 2-7 SSC
 
How It Happened...
1Q | Saint Leo pulled ahead 8-6 over the Sharks off Monita Moon's jumper at 4:05 to start a seven-point run. Nikira Hooks on the line lifted the Lions 10-6, followed by a Gina Brierley three-pointer; 13-6 at 00:49. | Saint Leo 13-8 |
2Q | The Sharks cut the Lions lead to one point by 8:59, 15-14. NSU's Maria Bardeeva layup forced a lead change at 8:03, 16-15. Delaney Bernard's three-pointer handed the lead back to Saint Leo but the Lions couldn't build on the bucket. NSU's Taylor Smith tied the game with a layup, 20-20 at 4:32. | NSU 28-23 |
3Q | The Sharks scored 17 unanswered points to open the second half. Saint Leo tallied four points in the quarter coming at 4:14 from a Brierley layup and 00:27 from Alani Gallagher in the paint. | NSU 46-27 |
4Q | Saint Leo responded with the team's highest scoring quarter, 17 points, to close the contest. Efforts fell short as the Shark's offense did not relent despite the Lions shooting getting back on track. NSU tallied its game high lead at 21-points at 5:18. A three-pointer by Brierley assisted by Mary Redmond followed by two layups from Gallagher cut the Shark's lead to 17-points, 60-43 at 3:47. | NSU 64-44 |
 
Points to Note

• The Lions finished shooting .314 percent (16-51) from the field, .313 percent (5-16) in three-pointers, .583 (7-12) on the free throw line
• Alani Gallagher led Saint Leo with 14 points (6-9), four rebounds
• Gina Brierley tallied 10 points (3-8), six rebounds
• Nikira Hooks grabbed nine rebounds
• Saint Leo edged NSU off the boards, 34 rebounds to the Shark's 33

For NSU

• NSU finished shooting .500 percent (26-52) from the field, .389 percent (7-18) in three-pointers, .556 percent (5-9) on the free throw line
• This is the second time this season the Sharks won scoring less than 70 points
• Alison Hughes led NSU's offense with 19 points (7-11) helped by Maria Bardeeva with 17 points (7-11)
• Christen Prasse and Hailey Conley each earned six rebounds

Saint Leo will continue play facing regionally ranked #7 Eckerd on Wednesday, January 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Marion Bowman Activities Center.

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.