SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo University women's basketball was delt a tough task on Saturday afternoon as it welcomed in a Nova Southeastern University Sharks team riding an 11-game winning streak. The Lions kept themselves in the game the entire 40 minutes rallying to pull the game within two possessions multiple times during the second half. The Lions fall to 9-8 on the season and 3-6 in SSC play while the Sharks extend its win streak to 12 and are 14-3 overall and 9-1 in conference.

Chynna Mattair (15) and Olivia Agunzo (15) combined for half the Lions points. Saint Leo forced the Sharks to turn over the ball 22 times and capitalized for 27 points. Taydra Simpson also collected double-digit points on the night with 11.

Trailing by 11 entering the second quarter, Saint Leo went on a 6-3 run to pull the game within six. Jenni Whitlow hit a basket with midway through the second quarter to disrupt a 10-1 Sharks run.

The Lions were 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point arc in the third quarter despite being outscored 20-19 in the third.  

Mattair and Agunzo started to heat up in the fourth quarter trying to spark a rally that saw Saint Leo cut the Nova Southeastern lead to five with 6:19 left in the fourth.



Head Coach Anthony Crocitto's thoughts on the game against Nova Southeastern:

"I thought we played hard and we are getting better daily. We are a good basketball team that is growing. I'm proud of our runs but that Nova team is pretty good."

"We are young. Two leading scorers in freshman Agunzo and sophomore Mattair are exciting to watch."

"Our posts were physical and did what they can on both sides of the ball."

"We need to keep growing as we head into the second half of the SSC schedule"
 
The Lions next game concludes the first half of the conference schedule as they make the trip south to Boca Raton for a matchup at Lynn (Jan. 24). Round two of conference play begins next Saturday at Eckerd (Jan. 27). The Lions will host Tampa (Jan. 31) for White Out night.

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.