SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team's second half surge forced eight lead changes and an overtime period to decide the tilt against the Nova Southeastern Sharks on Saturday. Despite overcoming a 15-point deficit, Saint Leo fell 87-85 on Saturday in the Marion Bowman Activities Center.

Nova Southeastern (5-3, 2-1 SSC) saw Mikayla Thompson drive home the game-winning layup with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. The Lions desperation 3-pointer as the clock expired found the front of the rim. Nova Southeastern took advantage of 14 offensive rebounds to score 18 second chance points. Six-of-eight Sharks scored in double-figures, highlighting Thompson who registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Sharks snatched 41 rebounds over the Lions 18.

Saint Leo (4-4, 1-2 SSC) saw four Lions score in double digits. Casey Wortley led the way with 21 points, four rebounds. She was followed by Gina Brierley and Alani Gallagher with 18 points each. Olivia Lough scored a career-high 11 points.

Head Coach Anthony Crocitto expressed, "I can't be any prouder in a loss than tonight. We showed fight, it was certainly character building."

"We will rest up and prepare for the three contests before taking a break to celebrate Christmas," continued Crocitto. "We have a group of energetic workers and listeners. I am very happy to be leading this group."
 
How It Happened

• Brierley's good jumper followed by a Wortley three-pointer cut Nova's 6-0 opening run to a one-point game. Brierley's hot start continued, registering nine points in the first quarter. Despite efforts, Nova Southeastern held the lead at 19-16 entering the second stanza.
• The Sharks outscored the Lions 24-16 in the second quarter. The visitor's largest lead came with 2:46 left in the half as Nova Southeastern earned a 15-point gap from the Saint Leo. Alex Button and Madeline Lang recaptured momentum for the Green & Gold before heading into the locker room with back-to-back coast-to-coast layups to close out the period.
• Saint Leo caught fire from three-point range. Oliva Lough sunk a pair along while Abby Zeitsiff added one during the Lions 22-13 third quarter, overwhelming the Sharks.
• Casey Wortley electrified the Marion Bowman Activities Center in the opening minutes of the fourth with a good three-pointer to claim the lead for Saint Leo, 59-58. 
• Tied 71-71 with 31 seconds remaining in regulation, the Sharks hit a long two-pointer, forcing a thirty-second Saint Leo timeout to move the ball up the court. Alani Gallagher drew the foul inside the paint. Calm under pressure, Gallagher sunk both free throws, equalizing the game, 73-73 with 1.2 seconds on the clock. The Sharks quick take, skimmed the rim, needing overtime to decide the Sunshine State Conference barn burner.
• Wortley opened overtime with back-to-back buckets. Alison Hughes regained the lead for Nova Southeastern with a pair of threes. Tied 85-85 with 33.5 seconds remaining, Wortley set a tight pick for Brierley to bank a three-pointer off the backboard from the right corner pocket of the court.
• Mikayla Thompson of the Nova Southeastern Sharks grabbed the rebounded off her own missed jumper, drove left and finished the drive for the victory.

 
Up Next
On Friday, Dec. 14, Saint Leo returns to non-conference action to host Webber International at 7 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.