BOCA RATON, Fla. – Saint Leo women's basketball rallied late in the fourth quarter to force overtime, where it was the hosts' Lynn University that prevailed in the extra period as the last-second shot by the Lions' Amanda Ulrich hit off the rim at the horn inside the de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center in Boca Raton, Fla.

"We aren't fully there yet," head coach Anthony Crocitto stated after the overtime loss Saturday. "These ladies are fighting and following the game plans but again we come up a little short in overtime. I am proud of the entire team and coaching staff; together we will get better daily while planning for the long road ahead."
 
Saint Leo (6-9, 2-5 SSC) saw three players score double figures led by Amanda Ulrich's 18 points. Gina Brierley notched a double-double with a team-high 13 rebounds and 16 points while Alani Gallagher tallied 17 points for the Green and Gold.

Crocitto continued, "Gina played one of her best games in the Green and Gold. Her leadership and play making ability will be huge down the stretch. Alani and Amanda have been consistent all year for us scoring and it will help in the long run. Alani is growing every day into a big-time player for us and she has been very consistent scoring the ball all year. Amanda is displaying so much skill and energy out there and will only get better. Her scoring ability is helping keep us in games. "
 
Lynn (10-5, 5-2 SSC) was paced by Uloma Enyogasi's game-high 23 points while Sarah Baer tallied a double-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds. Loie Webb and Dani Lozzi added to the Fighting Knights' totals with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
 
The teams played a tight first half as it was the Lions edging out the Fighting Knights 16-13 in the first stanza. Lynn outscored Saint Leo 19-16 in the second quarter as both teams went to halftime tied 32-32. A quick burst from Montia Moon helped the Green and Gold tie things before the break with a defensive rebound leading to an Alex Buttons three followed by a three of her own late in the second quarter.  
 
The third quarter would be tight as both teams held a lead. Lynn found itself up four with 1:58 to play before the Lions saw three free throws from Gallagher go in to end the quarter down by one, 45-44.
 
Gina Brierley hit a three early in the final quarter to tie the game at 47. After the score flipped back and forth for the next two minutes, the Lions would push out to a four-point lead, 58-54 on an Ulrich three. The Fighting Knights clawed their way back and ran to a six-point lead, 64-58. Lynn capped its 12-1 run with a layup before Button hit two free throws with under a minute to play, bringing the game to five points, 66-61. A costly turnover by Lynn saw Casey O'Shaughnessy make a quick jump to cut it to three with 24-ticks left, 66-63.
 
After a foul with 20-seconds to play, Lynn went 1-for-2 at the line due to a lane violation allowing the Lions to trail by just four. Brierley drove to the paint and made the lay up before connecting on the ensuing free throw for a 67-66 game with 14-ticks left. Another 1-for-2 chance at the line saw the Green and Gold have the ball down by two with 13-seconds remaining. A foul by the Fighting Knights gave the Lions hope as Gina Brierley went to the line down two; sinking two of the three possible, the Green and Gold rallied to send the game to overtime tied 68-68.
 
The Lions started off hot with a three to open overtime before the hosts claimed a two-point lead with a minute to play. Button's jumper with 52 showing on the clock tied the game at 74. Lynn chewed all but the full 30-seconds possible off the clock laying it in for the lead with 27-seconds to go. A missed layup for the Lions and free throw on the other end by Lynn with 3.7-seconds to go forced a needed three at the buzzer where Ulrich's three from the volleyball lines hit the backboard and off the rim as the game reached its final, 77-74 Lynn.

Crocitto concluded with, "Our players grow daily and we will be fine. I am very excited for the future."
 
Up Next
Saint Leo returns home for a two-game homestand hosting Embry-Riddle on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. before the Barry Buccaneers come to the Bowman Center on Saturday, Jan. 18.
 
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. Don't miss out on the 2019-20 Basketball Pride Pass, now on sale. The Saint Leo Basketball Pride Pass gives each fan admission to all home men's and women's basketball events. For more information visit here.