SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo Lions are set to open the 2019-2020 women's basketball season on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Gulf South/Sunshine State Conference Challenge in Lakeland, Fla. Florida Southern hosts the conference clash, welcoming Saint Leo, Lee, and Alabama-Huntsville. Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Anthony Crocitto, Saint Leo is slated to tip-off against Lee on Friday at noon.
 
­­­Crocitto and the Lions are coming off a 10-18 season, going 5-15 in the SSC, which placed them ninth among the league's 2018-19 standings. Last week, the Green and Gold were predicted to finish 10^th this season in the SSC Coaches' Preseason Poll.
 
Joining the coaching staff is assistant coach Tesh Johnson and graduate assistant coach Sabrina Whiting. Coach Tesh joined the Saint Leo women's basketball staff in September of 2019. The Saint Petersburg native brings with her five years of coaching at the high school level following her own collegiate career at Flagler College. Coach Whiting is no stranger to the SSC, as she now wears the Green and Gold colors after a successful career competing for the Embry-Riddle Eagles.
 
"While I was very happy with my previous staff, who got some exciting opportunities, the two assistants we brought in are phenomenal," said Crocitto. "They are passionate, sincere, and have been connecting with the players and getting after it on the court."
 
Saint Leo highlights 10 returns including starters Gina Brierley, Alani Gallagher, Madelin Lang, Alex Button, and Olivia Lough. By class, the returns stretch between five sophomores, three juniors and a pair of seniors.
 
"The mindset of the returners is to be great every single day," expressed Crocitto. "Gina (Brierley) brings leadership and she is very strong with the basketball. Alani (Gallagher) has gotten stronger and is mentally ready for this season."
 
Joining the double figure returning class are four freshmen and a transfer for a total count of 15 Lions.
 
Crocitto continued, "the rookies can shoot the ball and Nina (Robinson), our transfer, is a grinder who will work around the basket. Nina will off-set Alani (Gallagher) well."
 
The Saint Leo Lions enter the GSC/SSC Challenge for the fourth-straight year. Last season, the Lions opened the year defeating Shorter, 62-43, in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. The Lions last meeting with Lee came on the second day of the 2018 challenge, the Lions fell 71-51.
 
The Green and Gold will compete in 28 games over the season with 14 home appearances slated alongside 14 road contests. The Lions' home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. hosting the Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Bulldogs. Sunshine State Conference action begins in the Marion Bowman Activities Center on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. against the Florida Tech Panthers.

"It's been a great preseason and we hope to bring that to Lee on Friday," concluded Crocitto.
 
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.