SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo men's basketball saw its first half lead slip away as the Lions fell to Eckerd 88-80 in the final game of the season at the Marion Bowman Activities Center Wednesday night.
 
"We came out in the second half and did not compete. We acted like it would be easy," head coach Lance Randall commented. "We didn't execute on either end; Eckerd manhandled us."
 
Randall continued, "It was varsity versus junior varsity physically and mentally the entire second half. You're not going to win too many games giving up 22 offensive rebounds and 37 free throws. Eckerd wanted it more, and they deserved to win."
 
The Lions (15-12, 9-10 SSC) saw five players score double-figures where Isaiah Hill and Kyran McClure each led the way with 17 points while Wade Coomer added 16 points. Yalen Reed chipped in 13 points as Rusty Moorer notched 11 points off the bench for the Green and Gold.
 
Eckerd (9-18, 5-14 SSC) had four players in double-digits with two notching double-doubles in Myron Hagins and Admir Radoncic. Hagins finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to Radoncic's 17 points and 12 rebounds. Phillip Cirillo flirted with double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Tritons.  
 
The Tritons started the game off in front going on to a six-point lead, 8-2. The Lions rallied and tied it before running to a six-point lead of their own, 26-20, and pushing it to nine, 31-22 with 7:42 to play. With everything falling through the net, Saint Leo ran out to an 18-point lead, 48-30 with under three minutes in the opening half remaining, ultimately heading into the break up by 16, 52-36.
 
After quickly extending the lead to 20, 58-38, the tides turned and the Tritons cut the game to single digits with 15:27 to go, 58-49. After clinging to just a three-point lead, the Lions' Kyran McClure sank a three to make it a six-point difference, 61-55, but Eckerd rallied again and used a 6-1 run to make it 62 all with 9:36 to play.

The Tritons would continue to push the pace and go out to a five-point lead, 69-64. Failing to make shots drop, the Lions quickly saw themselves behind by 10, 81-71 with 1:40 on the clock. Six points brought the Green and Gold to within five with a minute to play but Eckerd would go to the free throw line ad make six free throws to the Lions' single three as the Tritons ended the game with an eight-point win, 88-80.
 
Up Next
The Lions will travel to Miami Shores, Fla. to take on Barry in the regular season finale for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men'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.