SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team earned its second straight Sunshine State Conference win with a 55-52 final score on Wednesday against Nova Southeastern. The Lions were led by senior guard Nikira Hooks who posted career-high 25 points.

Hooks went 7-14 on the floor, 2-4 in three-pointers, 9-10 on the free throw line. In addition, she added eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block to her big day.

Head Coach Anthony Crocitto said, "It's amazing, these ladies don't quit. We are playing teams so much better the second time around because they are really buying in to what we are trying to do."

"Nikira was awesome on both ends. We got her rest when she needed it. Alani continues to develop. Our sophomore back court is the glue that holds it together; they execute the plan. Gina hit a big shot and how about Mary Redmond coming off the bench and giving us that veteran shot selections, with two big threes she hits."

"With the energy and the synergy this team is creating is just unbeatable. You can't beat us with how hard we are working and how hard we are competing. They continue to make me more proud, it is hard to say I am more proud than I was, but it is an incredible feeling," concluded Crocitto.

 
The Basics
Final Score: Saint Leo Lions 55, Nova Southeastern 52
Location: Saint Leo, Fla. | Marion Bowman Activities Center
Records: SLU 10-14, 5-11 SSC | NSU 10-11, 6-9 SSC
 
How It Happened...
1Q | Alani Gallagher's bucket and one gave Saint Leo the early lead at 3-2. The Sharks answered with a 6-0 run. Gina Brierley was sent to the free throw line, adding one to Saint Leo's count, 8-4 at 3:30. Hooks was sent to the free throw line twice, sinking 4-of-4. Mary Redmond hit a corner pocket three to regain the lead for Saint Leo, 11-10. The Lions defense kept the Sharks from scoring in remaining minute. An offensive rebound by Gallagher set up Nikira Hooks for a quarter ending three-pointer. | Saint Leo 14-10 |
2Q | Hooks stayed hot, opening the second quarter with a jumper. A six-minute drought hit the Green & Gold, allowing Nova to claim the lead, 24-18. Gallagher ended the skid with a layup. Day Jackson went coast to coast with a block and fast break layup. | Nova 24-22 |
3Q | Hooks' back-to-back layups plus a point from the charity stripe cut Nova's lead to three, 30-27 at 5:39. Saint Leo posted six points in 44 seconds: Brierley scored a layup, Madelin Lang earned a steal, Savannah Scott posted a layup followed by a team defensive stop finished with a fast break layup by Delaney Bernard. | Nova 35-33 |
4Q | At 9:40 Hooks found Gallagher open in the paint to tie the game at 35. Hooks grabbed a rebound and scored another layup followed by a three-pointer. The quick five points lifted the Lions 40-37 over the Sharks. Nova quickly took back the lead and retained it for most of the fourth quarter. Brierley's basket in the paint jumpstarted the comeback efforts. The barnburner continued as the lead changed on the free throw line for each team. Nova called a timeout and advanced the ball with 30 seconds remaining. Hooks took a charge to hand Saint Leo the basketball. An in-bound turnover put the ball back into the Shark's possession. Hooks, again, grabbed a rebound, drew a foul and sealed the win for the Lions. | Saint Leo 55-52 |
 
Points to Note

• Nikira Hooks went 7-14 FG, 2-4 3FG, 9-10 FT scoring career-high 25 points. She added eight rebounds, a block, steal and an assist to her day.
• Alani Gallagher scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, and tallied a block and steal.
• Gina Brierley lead Saint Leo's assist count with three.

For Nova

• Maria Bardeeva earned a double double with 17 points, 10 rebounds. She added two blocks a steal and two assists to her day.
• Mikayla Thompson also earned a double double scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds.
• Taylor Smith added nine points.

 
Up Next
Saint Leo returns to the Marion Bowman Activities Center on Saturday to host Barry 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.