SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team fell 66-62 to Embry-Riddle on Saturday in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Saint Leo's fourth quarter offensive was led by Alani Gallagher, who tallied her second collegiate double double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and Izabell Skoogh scoring season-high 12 points.

Head coach Anthony Crocitto commented, "Honestly, we are getting better daily and it shows in our games but not by result. We gave up a couple easy front cuts in the third quarter and took a couple bad shots that set us back. Our locker-room, however, is full of winners and we will continue to prepare and fight night in and night out. This is a great league that doesn't sleep."

"Alani Gallagher works daily and her game is growing by leaps and bounds.

"I loved the bench, on and off the court tonight. Izabell Skoogh played well and did a lot of things to keep the game close. We executed at both ends and showed a lot of promise for February."

"I am very proud of this group. They keep fighting and don't give in at all," concluded Crocitto.

 
The Basics
Final Score: Embry-Riddle 66, Saint Leo University Lions 62
Location: Saint Leo, Fla. | Marion Bowman Activities Center
Records: ERU 15-4, 9-3 SSC | SLU 8-13, 3-10 SSC
 
How It Happened...
1Q | A slow start between the Eagles and the Lions allotted a 6-6 tied game after three minutes of play. Embry-Riddle edged Saint Leo with a layup by Nicole Tucker at 2:26. No points were scored in the last two minutes. Alani Gallagher grabbed four rebounds in the first quarter alone. | Embry-Riddle 9-8 |
2Q | Nikira Hooks corner pocket three at 7:34 closed the Eagles lead to two, 13-11. Embry-Riddle converted a pair of free throws, 20-15. A head-to-head battle fired up around the circle. Mary Redmond sunk a three at 2:28. Izabell Skoogh added another three for the Lions but was matched by Embry-Riddle's Sigrid three. Gina Brierley added one at the line to close the half. | Embry-Riddle 25-22 |
3Q | The eagles converted a free throw followed by a layup to hold a 36-28 advantage at the media timeout. Embry-Riddle's offensive continued to press earned its largest lead of the quarter, 42-30 (3:01). Alani Gallagher's defensive rebound, layup and jumper closed the quarter. | Embry-Riddle 46-39 |
4Q | Gallagher opened and closed the final 10 minutes with a three pointer. Delaney Bernard hit a three before the media timeout at 7:23, 52-45. Gina Brierley and Skoogh joined the fun scoring a from beyond the arch forcing the visitors to take a timeout, 57-52 at 4:09. Skoogh added another three to her bid day but it was answered by the Eagles, 61-55. | Embry-Riddle 66-62 |
 
Points to Note

• Saint Leo shot .471 FG%, .348 3FG%, .400 FT%.
• Alani Gallagher tallied her second collegiate double double with 18 points, 11 rebounds. She went 8-11 FG, 2-2 3FG. All 11 rebounds were on the defensive side of the ball.
• Izabell Skoogh recorded season-high 12-points (4-8 FG, 2-3 FT)
• Nikira Hooks added 13 points going 6-10 FG, 1-2 FT.

For Embry-Riddle

• The Eagles shot .471 FG%, .368 3FG%, .550 FT%.
• Nicole Tucker led scoring with 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 FT). She added five rebounds, two assists, three steals to her day.
• Sabrina Whiting led the Eagles off the glass with eight rebounds. She also scored double digits with 13.
• Lauren Ellenberger helped lift Embry-Riddle on the road with 11 points.

Up next for the Lions, Saint Leo visits Tampa on Wednesday, January 31 at 5:30 p.m.
 
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.