SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team is set to open the 2021-22 season against some to the South Region's top programs during the Regional Crossover hosted by Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The Lions welcome the weekend's test with sixth year head coach Anthony Crocitto at the helm of veterans Amanda Ulrich, Tori Lesko, Alex Button, and Kiki McIntyre and a handful of promising newcomers.

Amanda Ulrich, 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-District, 2019-20 Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-SSC performer, returns after five games on the hardwood last year. The point guard from Secaucus, N.J. earned a 33.9 field-goal percentage hitting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc on her way to 11.2 points per game. On the line, she went 7-for-10 (.700). Meanwhile, All-SSC Newcomer Team member, Kiki McIntyre averaged 10.8 points per game, earning a 43.3 field-goal percentage in six games. The guard out of Dorchester, Mass. earned the team-high 19 assists. Graduate student Tori Lesko was decorated as the league's Newcomer of the Year and First Team member after leading the Green and Gold's offense with 14 points per game shooting 50.8 percent from the field and earning a team-high 9.2 rebounds per game.

Shooting guard Alex Button will not be forgotten by opponents this year. The senior from Cohocton, N.Y. broke out 13.2 points per game with a dangerous 56.4 shooting percentage. Her junior campaign earned All-SSC Second Team honors as the leagues third highest scorer.

The weekend in Cleveland, Tenn. will debut twin sisters Ayanna Trigg and Briana Trigg, graduate transfers from the University of Central Arkansas.
 
Coach Crocitto and his staff made up of Tesh Johnson, Nola Carter, and EJ Harrsion prepare the Lions for a full 28-game season including 13 contests on the road and 15 games at home in the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
 
Saint Leo enters the season building on their second consecutive trip to the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Championship Semifinals. Saint Leo registered a 3-3 overall record during the shortened season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Green and Gold's consistency grabbed the attention of the SSC coaches, pulling in a fourth-place prediction in the SSC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
The Chargers of the University of Alabama in Huntsville are ranked eighth regionally led by eighth year head coach Andrea Lemmond. The Chargers wrapped up the 2020-21 season 8-8 overall, 8-7 in the Gulf South Conference (GSC). Their season ended in the first round of the league's championship, falling to second-seeded Montevallo 69-60.
 
The Lions and Chargers last met on Saturday, November 9, 2019 in Lakeland, Fla. during the Regional Crossover hosted by Florida Southern. Amanda Ulrich broke out a career-high double-double to propel the Green and Gold over the Chargers. The then freshman guard, put up 30 points going 12-for-21 from the field, sinking a pair of three-pointers, and capitalizing on 4-of-6 free throws. Off the boards, Ulrich snagged 10 rebounds in addition to five assists, three steals, and a block. Meanwhile, Alex Button threw 14 points into the mix.
 
Following their meeting with the Chargers on Friday, the Lions will turnaround on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 3:00 p.m. to face Lee, who is ranked sixth regionally. Head Coach Marty Rowe enters his 17^th season with the Flames following a NCAA DII National Tournament appearance in 2020-21. Coach Rowe welcomes back all but graduate student Maddie Long from the national run. The Flames put together a 15-8 overall record, 13-6 in the GSC, falling in the GSC Championship but punching a ticket to the National stage. Their season came to a close against 12^th ranked Valdosta State, 74-64, in Dahlonega, Ga.
 
Saint Leo and Lee last met in the 2019-20 season opener on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. The Flames topped the Lions 75-66 despite the Lions' 19-11 first quarter surge.

Tickets: Saint Leo is CARD ONLY, no cash will be accepted for ticketing or concession purposes. For more information on tickets at Saint Leo events, go to saintleolions.com/tickets.
$6 General Admission
$5 Senior Citizen
$4 Military & Visiting Students (w/valid ID)
FREE: Children 12 & under, Saint Leo Students, Faculty & Staff and immediate family.
Broadcast / Live Stats: All games will have a live broadcast feed on the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network at sunshinestateconference.tv/saintleo, while stats will be provided at //saintleolions.com/stats. For more information, go to saintleolions.com/coverage.
 
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.