ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In a Saturday afternoon match up at the McArthur Center, the Saint Leo Lions faced a formidable challenge against the Eckerd College Tritons. Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Lions ultimately succumbed to a 74-45 defeat, marking their sixth straight loss.
 
The Lions started the game with promise, opening the game with a 12-10 lead after the first 10 mintues. Saint Leo originally ended the first quarter down a point but after a review a Triton three-point basket was called back. Following an official review, it was determined that the off-ball foul was called prior to the shooting motion, negating the shot altogether. However, Eckerd quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring the Lions, 27-12. This strong offensive performance gave the Tritons a comfortable 37-24 lead heading into halftime.
 
The second half proved to be a struggle for the Lions as they faced a relentless Tritons team. Eckerd's Lauryn Vieira led the charge with an impressive 22-point performance, backed by solid contributions from Chance Bucher (20) and Bella Green (18).
 
Chynna Mattair led the Lions in scoring with 16 points, but the team faced difficulties finding consistent offensive rhythm throughout the game. The Tritons' defense held the Lions to 31.5% shooting from the field, with only 26.1% accuracy from beyond the arc.
 
Rebounding also played a crucial role in the outcome, with Eckerd dominating the boards, particularly on the offensive end. The Tritons secured 16 offensive rebounds, leading to second-chance opportunities totaling 11 points contributing to their overall control of the game.
 
Despite the loss, several Lions players showcased resilience and determination. Taydra Simpson added eight points and five rebounds, while Jumoke Adaramoye tallied six points and five rebounds.

Head Coach Anthony Crocitto's thoughts following the game:

"We played a heck of a lot of defense in the first quarter and we were rolling despite some easily missed baskets."

"The second quarter, foul trouble to Taydra Simpson, caught up to us and 19 turnovers in the first half led to a big deficit at the break."

"Chynna Mattair tried but couldn't get her three point game to flow and had some baskets run in and out."

"Overall, we were very badly outhustled, and outplayed across the board. We have a lot of work to do if we are to compete in the SSC tournament."

The Lions return home to take on Tampa at 5 pm on January 31. The Lions will host a White Out night at the Marion Bowman Activities Center.

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.