SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo women's basketball duo, Nikira Hooks and Delaney Bernard both turned in 10-point performances in Lions setback to Eckerd College, 54-45 Wednesday night in Sunshine State Conference action inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Bernard's 10 points marked her career-high where it was Hooks' fourth double-digit game of the year.

Head Coach Anthony Crocitto commented, "We played a solid all-around game, controlling the temp and minimizing mistakes. We saw growth and will continue to see improvement regardless of wins and losses. These ladies followed the game plan and fought to the very end, for that, I am proud."

"Delaney scored a nice 10 and had some buckets go in and out while Nikira Hooks' energy carried us in spurts. Maddie Lang was in true form with six assists and spirited leadership on both ends."

"Since we are losing a key player, we are still finding ourselves and will continue to fight daily in making the product on the floor stronger," concluded Crocitto.

 
The Basics
Final Score: Eckerd College Tritons 54, Saint Leo University Lions 45
Location: Saint Leo, Fla. | Marion Bowman Activities Center
Records: EC 12-5, 6-4 SSC | SLU 7-11, 2-8 SSC

 How It Happened...
1Q | Eckerd's quick start handed Saint Leo a six-point hole. Delaney Bernard's sunk a deep three assisted by Gina Brierley, 10-11 at 2:46. Nikira Hooks converted a pair of free throws, handing the Lions the its first lead of the game, 12-11. Saint Leo built its largest lead of the game at 15-11 after Mary Redmond added her own three. | Tied 15-15 |
2Q | Yarden Danan's layup at 7:12 lifted the Tritons 22-18. Alani Gallagher, Hooks and Bernard all contributed in Saint Leo's offensive efforts to keep the game tight at the break. | Eckerd 31-30 |
3Q | Eckerd added five more points to its lead after another 10 minutes of play. Inside the paint, Day Jackson contributed four points with two jumpers, keeping the game within two possessions, 42-38 at 2:39.  Alani Gallagher closed out the Lions scoring for the quarter on the charity stripe. | Eckerd 45-39 |
4Q | The remaining 10 minutes was low scoring for both teams. Eckerd posted nine points while the Lions tallied six. The Tritons' largest lead of 15 points came from Kacie Juday's layup at 5:17, 54-39. The Lions pocketed their points with two three-pointers in the remaining 1:35, scored by Izabell Skoogh and Nikira Hooks. | Eckerd 54-45 |
 
Points to Note

• Delaney Bernard marked career-high 10-points shooting 4-10 from the floor, 2-8 in three-point attempts.
• Nikira Hooks' fourth double-digit game of the season came from a 2-7 field goal night, 1-4 in three-pointers, 5-6 on the free throw line.
• Savanna Scott and Day Jackson each grabbed five rebounds; one offensive, four defensive. Alani Gallagher added four rebounds, two from each side of the court, to Saint Leo's count of 29.

For Eckerd

• Zoe Richards lead Eckerd's scoring with 13 points going 6-8 on the floor, 1-2 around the circle. Yarden Danan added 11 points going 4-10 in field goals with a three-pointer in the mix, 2-3 on the charity stripe.
• Kacie Juday earned game-high nine rebounds, five on offense, four on the defensive end.
• Entered the game ranked #10 in the D2SIDA South Region poll

 
Saint Leo women's basketball will enjoy back-to-back games in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. On Saturday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m., the Lions tipoff against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish during Saint Leo's white out night.

 
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.