BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Saint Leo Lions overwhelmed the Shaw Bears 73-60 to close out the Lynn University Holiday Classic on Wednesday. The Lions saw freshman guard Alex Button earn career-high 17 points in the victory.
 
Button went 6-for-7 from the field, hit all three three-pointers, and stayed perfect at the line, going 2-for-2. She added four rebounds to her big day.
 
"This team showed character after a mentally exhausting loss yesterday. We practiced hard and prepared well for today," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "We look forward to hosting Rollins after a break."
 
How It Happened

• Gina Brierley sunk a corner pocket three-ball to tie the game 7-7 with 7:01 left in the first quarter. Delaney Bernard handed the Lions their first lead of the game, making a free throw awarded off a Shaw technical foul. Casey Wortley extended the Lions' lead knocking down a long three-pointer, 13-8. Saint Leo outscored Shaw 6-1 in the last two minutes to enter the second quarter ahead, 20-11.
• A back-and-forth battle took place in the second quarter as both Shaw and Saint Leo scored 17 points, handing the Lions a nine-point halftime advantage, 37-28.
• Delaney Bernard picked up the rebound and found Brierley who finished the coast-to-coast bucket. The fastbreak layup handed the Lions a 14-point lead at 42-28 with 6:47 left in the third quarter. A two-minute scoring drought struck the Lions as the Bears cut the Green & Gold lead to five points. Alex Button put away with the drought, scoring seven points in the last two minutes of the quarter. Montia Moon added a pair of free throws for a score of 55-42 to enter the last 10 minutes of play.
• Button stayed hot, sinking a three-pointer at 8:28 to lift the Lions 60-43 over the Bears. Another jumper and three-pointer from Button handed Saint Leo an 18-point lead, 71-58 at 3:25. Asia Royster's jumper tallied the last points for the Lions. Saint Leo was unable to add any more points in the last two minutes but their lead was enough to defeat Shaw 73-60.

 
Up Next
The Saint Leo Lions return to the hardwood and conference play on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. to host the Rollins Tars.
 
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