SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team fell to Tampa in a heartbreaking overtime decision of 97-90 inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center Wednesday night. Despite Tampa being ranked 19^th by the most recent D2SIDA poll and 21^st by the WBCA NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, the Lions started strong, recording their largest lead of 29 points in the third quarter, but ended up falling in overtime to the Sunshine State Conference rivals. The loss snapped the Green and Gold's six-game win streak, moving their overall record to 9-5, 4-2 SSC while Tampa's season mark improved to 14-3, 5-1 in the SSC.

"A tough game to lose tonight but one we will learn from," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "Being shorthanded isn't an excuse but one or two rebounds mattered tonight. Tampa is a professional squad who did what they needed to do. We needed to close this one out in regulation. Kudos to the Spartans."
 
Alex Button earned a season-high 25 points going 9-for-16 from the floor, 5-for-10 from the three-point range, and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Following Button closely on the scoreboard was Ayanna Trigg with her own career-high in the Green and Gold with 23 points. The graduate student forward went 10-for-16 from the hardwood and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. Kiki McIntyre and Amanda Ulrich joined Button and Trigg in scoring double figures with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Tamara Shash finished up her work against the Spartans just shy of double digits with nine points. Shash continued to be a threat beyond the circle with three three-pointers. Off the window, Trigg led the Lions with nine rebounds followed by McIntyre and Ulrich who each brought down five defensive rebounds.
 
Saint Leo welcomed their rivals from down the road by generating a 14-0 run on the Lions way to a 50-29 halftime score. The Green and Gold added to their lead in the third quarter registering a 29-point lead, 60-31, at the 5:17 minute mark.
 
Tampa flipped the script in the fourth, outscoring Saint Leo 27-9 to force the overtime period. Tied at 79 with 3:02 left in extra time, the Spartans drained back-to-back three-pointers to escape the Lions and ultimately register the 97-90 comeback win.

"We are growing daily and today was about growing through adversity. We will re-energize the team over the next two nights as we get ready for Lynn," concluded Crocitto. 
 
On Saturday, Jan. 8 the Lions return to action on the road at Lynn. Tip-off against the Fighting Knights is set for 2:00 p.m.  
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.