SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo women's basketball team, seeded fourth, ended up on the wrong side of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Quarterfinals against fifth seed Barry in an electrifying showdown in the Marion Bowman Activities Center Tuesday night. The first round of the postseason came down to the last minute with the Lions just coming up short with a final score of 81-78. Multiple scoring runs from both teams led to a competitive battle down the stretch. This tight game, unfortunately, ended the Lions' season against Barry, a team they took down twice during the regular season, including a game over the past weekend. Saint Leo finished to 2021-22 season with a program record-setting season mark of 17-11, 12-8 (SSC).
 
Saint Leo had a very strong first half lighting up the scoreboard and taking a 45-38 lead into the halftime break. The Lions shot the ball at a hot 53-percent from the field and Amanda Ulrich came out firing, putting up 16 points in the first half only going 8-for-16.
 
Ulrich ended the game with a double-double scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. She was followed by Alex Button finishing with 19 points and went 8-for-13 from the floor. Tori Lesko had a nice night recording eight points and nine rebounds in the Lions' efforts. Saint Leo was leading the way the entire game until the fourth quarter when there were a lot of fouls that sent both teams to the free-throw line. There were seven lead changes and it game stayed within one or two-possession game for the remainder of the nail bitter.

The 2021-22 season was nothing short of great for the Lions. The 12 SSC wins, under head coach Anthony Crocitto, will go down in the program's record book as the most conference wins.

Crocitto said, "While we are very disappointed with the outcome tonight, we are proud of these women and we're proud of the opportunity they were given. Tori Lesko came in and elevated the program, and Ayanna Trigg had the great season of her college career. While Briana Trigg wasn't able to play, she did her best to stay involved. So, yes, these graduate students helped move the needle in the right direction.
 
I can't say enough about Alex Button and Tamara Shash. They laid it all out there and did their best. While we lost, they will always be winners in my heart.
 
I would like to thank the amazing crowd and amazing support system at Saint Leo. We will be back bigger, faster, and stronger in the future."
 
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.