SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team upset Texas A&M International 89-80 Wednesday night in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. The sweet victory handed the South Central region fifth-seeded Dustdevils their first loss of the season, and it was Amanda Ulrich who spearheaded the Lions' to victory.
 
The junior guard from Secaucus, N.J. recorded a season-high 32 points going 9-for-17, 5-for-6 from the three-point range, and a nearly perfect 9-for-10 at the free throw line. Ulrich added five rebounds, four assists, a block, and four steals to her big night against Texas A&M International.
 
Joining Ulrich in scoring double digits was Alex Button with 16 points and Tori Lesko with 15 points. Button and Ayanna Trigg earned a team-high six rebounds to help the Lions beat the Dustdevils off the boards.
 
Ulrich's three-pointer at 4:38, assisted by Kiki McIntyre, lifted the Lions 11-9 over the Dustdevils. On the other end of the court, Ulrich converted a free throw to increase the lead to three. Saint Leo held onto the advantage after the first 10 to head into the second quarter up, 16-11.
 
Head Coach Anthony Crocitto stated, "We have one of the most special point guards in the region in Kiki McIntyre that can lead us on both ends. She is only 15 games into her whole career and I put a lot on her plate."
 
In addition to tremendous offense, the Saint Leo defense caught fire in the second. The Lions shutdown the Dustdevils in the first five minutes piecing together a 10-3 run. The dominate five minutes propelled the Green and Gold 33-22 over the visiting ranked foes.
 
Saint Leo was on a roll, recording its highest lead of 17-points overwhelming Texas A&M International, 44-27 at 7:34 in the third. The Dustdevils flipped the script to answer the Lions' run and upped the wager. The visitors registered a 12-4 surge to cut the gap back down to single digits, 48-39. The battle stayed in the nine-point range until the last bucket of the quarter. With one second left in the third, Texas A&M International connected on a jumper in the paint to bring the game within seven, 56-49.
 
"Texas A&M International was relentless," recalled Crocitto. "They would not let us extend our lead. We miss an assignment, they hit a three, we miss an assignment, they get an and one. But, we did what we had to do at home."
 
Fans went wild in the fourth and the Lions and Dustdevils found themselves within five points (66-61) with 4:05 remaining on the clock. Ulrich saved the Lions from a turnover as she collected a loose ball in the backcour and dribbled up to just outside the three-point line to sink an electric pull up jumper as the shot clock expired, tallying her 26th point of the night. The clutch bucket increased the Lions' lead to eight, 69-61. Button joined the fun with a good two-point jumper from the corner after she was fouled for five straight points, 74-64. 
 
With 22 seconds remaining Dustdevil, Audry Hornaday hit a three to keep the game within seven, 83-76. Saint Leo showed off their work, hitting all six free throws to close out the game.
 
"How about our bench? Kamaria Sheriff is looking like a player, Jenni Whitlow hit a bucket off the bench, and Triniti Youngblood hit some free throws. I am very proud of the back court," concluded Crocitto.
 
Saint Leo returns to action on Friday, Dec. 17 to host the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel Classic. The three-day tournament will welcome Southern New Hampshire University and Lake Superior State to the Bowman Center. The Lions are set to tip-off against the Penmen at 7:00 p.m. to open the tournament. On Saturday, Dec. 18 Saint Leo will return to the hardwood for a 2:00 p.m. tip against the Lakers.  
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.