SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team registered a comeback win over Florida Tech, 67-61, on Wednesday in the Lions first home appearance of 2019. The tight contest electrified fans in the Marion Bowman Activities Center with eight lead changes between the Sunshine State Conference opponents.

Saint Leo (7-8, 2-5 SSC) had three players score in double-figures paced by Alani Gallagher with 17 points followed by Delaney Bernard with 16 points and Gina Brierley with 14 points. The fourth quarter offensive explosion featured a team field goal percentage of 72.7-percent.

Gallagher went 8-for-10 from the floor, 1-for-3 at the charity stripe, on her way to 17 points. She added four rebounds, two blocks and a steal to her day against the Panthers.
While Gallagher dominated the paint, Delaney Bernard struck from outside the arc going 4-for-6 for a complete 5-for-7 night on the hardwood. Bernard hit 2-of-4 from the line, snagged a round and earned an assist.

Asia Royster attacked the basket going 5-for-10 in field goals, sinking 3-of-4 free throws. She also added four rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal to the team's win.
Madelin Lang earned a team-high seven rebounds, allowing the Lions to outrebound the Panthers 28-25.

Florida Tech (5-9, 1-5 SSC) also had three shooters score double digits. Tereza Sedlakova (13), Kailyn Ebb (10) and Amanda Allen (10) led the Panthers efforts. Gracie Doane earned a team-high seven rebounds while recording nine points. Gudlaug Juliusdottir also dished out nine points.

"This was clearly the best team basketball we have played all year," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "We were unselfish and hungry after two high energy and demanding practices. We moved the ball side to side and shared the load on both ends."

"We are excited for our next SSC opponent but welcome the bye weekend," concluded Crocitto. "Thank you all for coming out tonight and supporting us at the Bowman."
 
How It Happened

• Saint Leo surrendered the lead at 7:31, 5-4, as Florida Tech sunk its first three-pointer of the night. The Panthers extended their lead to six points, outscoring the Lions 7-2 in the following three minutes. Madelin Lang's jumper followed by a pair of free throws by Asia Royster's cut the gap to two points, 14-12. Casey Wortley matched Florida Tech's jumper at 1:36 in the final two seconds of the quarter to keep the game within a bucket, 16-14.
• Between the six and third minute mark of the second quarter, the Panthers extended their lead to 26-16 off an uninterrupted six points. The gap widened into double-figures (31-21) as November Morton sunk a three for the visitors. Asia Royster's offensive attack combined with Bernard's three-pointer returned the game back to a single-digit deficit after three; 36-28.
• Florida Tech opened the third with five points to reach their game-high lead of 13 points, 41-28. Saint Leo answered the threat with 11-straight points to cut Florida Tech's lead to a mere two points, 41-39 at 3:48. The double-digit run was started by Brierley's layup and free throw, Bernard three, Gallagher layup and another big three by Bernard. The Panthers maintained control but was rattled by Bernard's 40 second three-pointer, 47-44.
• Gallagher equalized the game finishing a layup and free throw to open the fourth quarter basket-for-basket battle. Her continued strong presence inside the paint leveled the game at 49 at 7:25. Lions trailing 61-60 with 37 seconds remaining, Bernard slipped a perfectly placed pass to Gallagher to take the lead.
• Florida Tech's jumper rolled off the iron followed by a Saint Leo timeout to advance the ball. Bernard drew the foul off the inbound pass and hit both free throws, 64-61. The Panthers 7.4 second three-point attempt bounce off the rim. Asia Royster and Gina Brierley hit their awarded free throws for the 67-61 final.

Up Next
Saint Leo will enjoy a bye weekend followed by a short road trip to Tampa on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tip-off between the rivals is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
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