Box Score TAMPA, FL - In a hard-fought battle between rivals, the Saint Leo Lions faced off against the Tampa Spartans, resulting in a 72-41 loss for the Lions. Despite a valiant effort, Saint Leo struggled to find a rhythm against Tampa's stout defense.
 
The Lions were led by forward Jumoke Adaramoye, who contributed 13 points and showcased her versatility with five rebounds. However, it was a challenging night for the team, shooting 32.7% from the field and 20.8% from beyond the arc.
 
The game started with a back-and-forth battle, with Saint Leo holding a narrow lead early in the first quarter. However, Tampa quickly gained control, and by the end of the first quarter, they had secured a 16-12 advantage.
 
Tampa's Mya Giusto led the Spartans, putting up 24 points, leading all scorers. The Lions faced a tough defensive challenge from Tampa's Audrey Ramsey, who contributed seven points but also orchestrated the Spartans offense with six assists.
 
Saint Leo fought hard in the third quarter, with Adaramoye leading the charge, but Tampa's defense remained firm. The Spartans built on their lead and headed into the final quarter with a commanding 50-30 advantage.
 
The fourth quarter saw Tampa extending their lead further, with a 13-0 run that mounted a 31-point lead at one point. The game concluded with a final score of 72-41 in favor of Tampa.
 
Head Coach Anthony Crocitto reflected after the loss stating: "Clearly a very disappointing second half effort tonight. We didn't challenge UT in any aspect of the game. We struggled all night against zone and when open, couldn't knock down any shots. UT clearly outplayed us in the second half and most of the first. We saw some nice minutes from Alayna Harris and Jumoke Adaramoye in the loss. We will certainly regroup for the games before the Thanksgiving holiday." 
 
The Lions look to bounce back in their next matchup as they travel to St, Augustine, FL to take on Flagler College Saturday Nov. 18^th. Tipoff is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Women's Basketball, 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.