General Dec 13, 2019

Lions Ledger: Basketballs and Swimming in Action

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RECORDS: Saint Leo 4-5, 1-2 SSC | Tampa 4-3, 3-0 SSC
Saint Leo looks to snap a two-game losing skid following losses to Florida Southern (83-63) and Nova Southeastern (70-67) last week. The Lions currently sit eighth in the Sunshine State Conference rankings, above Rollins, Palm Beach Atlantic, and Barry.
Olivia Lough followed her career-high 18 points at Florida Southern with her career's first double-double against Nova Southeastern with 16-points and 10 rebounds. Saturday night marked the sophomore forward's fourth consecutive visit scoring double-digits.
Amanda Ulrich paces the Green and Gold offense with 14.2 points per game shooting a .394-percent. The freshman point guard has earned a team-high 26 assists and 13 steals. Alex Button (13.4) and Alani Gallagher (11.4) join Ulrich in averaging double-digit points.
Gallagher leads the team in rebounds with 8.6 snags a game. She has become a defensive presence with 12 blocks, as the SSC blocked shots leader.
As a team, Saint Leo scores an average of 72.1 points per game while compiling a shooting average of .425-percent from the floor. Beyond the arc, they shoot a .374-percent and .633-percent from the free throw line.
Tampa carries a two-game winning streak after closing a tight 57-54 win at Eckerd and 85-60 decision against Rollins. During the decisive win against the Tars, five Spartans scored in double-figures. The 85 points marked the most Tampa has scored since November 28, 2018.
LaShayla Wright-Ponder has compiled a team-high 15.3 points per game supported by Dori Nagy (15.0), Kris Nelson (13.8), and Melijah Sullivan (11.3). Nagy paces the team off the glass with 9.3 rebounds per game followed by Wright-Ponder with 8.7 grabs a game.
As a team, Tampa scores an average of 66.9 points per game while shooting .389-percent, .346-percent from downtown, and .787-percent from the line.
HISTORY: Last meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, the Spartans tamed the Lions 63-48 in the Bowman Center to clinched a season sweep.

RECORDS: Saint Leo 6-4, 1-2 SSC | Tampa 2-7, 0-3 SSC
Saint Leo enters the weekend matchup after a bye week and on a two-game skid. The Lions dropped its previous two matchups against No. 22 Florida Southern (86-76) and No. 2 Nova Southeastern (92-77). In the setback to the Sharks, Rusty Moorer led the Green and Gold in scoring with 20 points, while Kyran McClure and Isaiah Hill added 13 points apiece.
On the year, McClure paces the team with 20.6 points per game (ppg) while he is second in assists with 32 on the season. Isaiah Hill is second in scoring at 13.0 ppg and leads the team in assists (38) and steals (15).
The Lions are the 10th team in the league in scoring offense averaging 75.6 ppg while they remain the top defensive team, holding teams to 66.9 ppg; ranked 33rd in the nation.
Tampa enters the weekend game off a midweek bye and also on a two-game skid. The Spartans dopped an 63-61 decision to Eckerd before a more recent 58-47 loss to Rollins. In the defeat against the Tars, Martin Lakovic and Pat Bacon paced the team in scoring with 12 points.
On the season, Bacon leads the team in scoring at 21.4 ppg while Vincent Biffle is second at 10.1 ppg.
The Spartans are the 11th ranked team in the SSC in scoring at 67 ppg and are second in scoring defense holding opponents to 71.1 ppg.
HISTORY: In the last five meetings, the Lions are 4-1 against the Spartans but Tampa has the last victory. In the meetings a year ago, the two split the series where both teams won on the road. Inside the Bowman Center, Tampa came away victorious 95-74. In the game, Rusty Moorer led the Lions with 22 points while Freddy Ibrahim led the Spartans with 30 points.

The Saint Leo swimming programs will compete in their home opener Monday afternoon as the Florida Tech Panthers visit the Marion Bowman Aquatics Center. Following the dual meet the Lions will head to Clearwater to compete in the Spartan Invite, a three-day event for the Lions.
The Saint Leo men's program was recently ranked 21st in the TYR / CSCAA Division II Poll while the women came in at 23rd.
The men are currently 1-1 on the season after defeating Rollins 165-97 to open the season and falling 136.5-125.5 at Florida Southern. Sophomore Hampus Lovinge has carried the torch so far this season in dual meets after being named Sunshine State Conference Swimmer of the Week after the Lions' first two meets.
The women are a perfect 2-0 with wins at Rollins and at Florida Southern. Sophomore Vittoria Bonsanti Feniello has been leading the way and was named Sunshine State Conference Swimmer of the Week earlier this season.
The Florida Tech men are unranked while the women sit one spot ahead of the Lions in 22nd. The men enter the meet with a 1-4 record while the women are 0-4.
HISTORY: The Lions and Panthers met twice last season in dual meets with Saint Leo taking both contests. The Lion men won 166-95 at home and 159-103 on the road while the women won the home meet 151-100 and secured the road win 160-102.