SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team reeled in its fifth straight win in a 79-71 decision over the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic. Ayanna Trigg and Amanda Ulrich led the Lions to victory in their return to Sunshine State Conference competition Friday night inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center on New Year's Eve. The final game of the 2021 calendar year improved the Green and Gold's record to 8-4 overall, 3-1 in the SSC. Meanwhile, the decision snapped a two-game streak for PBA, moving the Sailfishs' season mark to 4-8 overall, 1-4 in the conference.
 
Head coach Anthony Crocitto said, "I am very proud of my staff including my student assistant, athletic training, and athletic communications office. The support that is given to this program showed tonight. Even more so, Coach Tesh Johnson is a hard-working young lady and will be big-time in this business in a short while. I'm very proud to call her my assistant coach and she is an incredible person to work with."
 
Ayanna Trigg earned her fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The graduate student forward went 5-for-7 from the field (.714) and 8-for-14 at the free-throw line. Off the boards, she snagged two offensive and eight defensive rebounds.
 
Amanda Ulrich also scored 18 points and earned seven defensive rebounds. The junior guard has now scored double digits in 11 of the 12 games so far this season. Joining Ulrich and Trigg in scoring double-digits was Jenni Whitlow and Kiki McIntyre. Whitlow scored 16 points going 6-for-8 from the hardwood, 3-for-4 from downtown and made her lone free throw of the night. Meanwhile, McIntyre put up 10 points going 4-for-10 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.
 
"Jenni Whitlow played outstanding basketball and gave us great minutes on both ends of the floor," said Crocitto. "I also thought Kamaria Sheriff was an integral part of tonight's victory. She impacted many possessions in a good stretch of the second half."
 
Saint Leo recorded its first double-digit lead off an eight-point run in the middle of the first quarter; 16-4. Alex Button drained a three to hand the Lions a 15-point advantage after one, 25-10. Saint Leo added 11 points to their first quarter lead by shutting down any offensive efforts by the Sailfish. The 11-0 run propelled the Lions by 26-points; 36-10.
 
"It is nice to get off to a 26-point lead but we must value the ball and monitor a shot selection through the highs and lows of any basketball game," explained Crocitto.
 
PBA was able to slash the 26-point gap back down to 16 points for a halftime score of 44-28. In the third quarter, Saint Leo maintained a double-digit advantage but found themselves in foul trouble entering the last 10 minutes of the game. With a score of 66-48, Saint Leo headed into the fourth quarter to meet a 'Fish not wanting to be caught. The Sailfish opened the fourth with their own 11-0 run to bring the game within seven points; 66-59 with 7:47 left on the clock. Saint Leo outlasted PBA's final efforts to extend the program's win streak in a 79-71 final.
 
Saint Leo returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 2 when the Lions will open the New Year of 2022 hosting Barry at 4:00 p.m.
 
"We look forward to Sunday and hope everybody comes out to support these women as they look to continue the success inside the beautiful Bowman Center," said Crocitto. 
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's basketball program, 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.