Saint Leo, Fla – In the I-75 rivalry, the Saint Leo Lions clawed their way to a thrilling victory over the Tampa Spartans, clinching an 89-82 win at home ending a four-game skid. In a near sellout the Bowman Center on white out night, The Lions showed their pride in a thrilling win. The Lions sweep the season series 2-0 against the Spartans after winning in Tampa earlier this season.  
 
The atmosphere was live with a packed house of 942 fans filling the stands, setting the stage for a high stakes encounter between two cross town conference rivals.
 
Right from the tip-off, both teams showcased their offensive star power, trading baskets and momentum swings in a game came down to the final minutes as the Lions fought to the end.
 
The Lions' offensive charge was led by Logan Ryan, who ignited the building with a scorching 21-point performance, including a barrage of six three-pointers that left the Spartans reeling. Kanon Koster provided crucial balance, tallying 20 points and orchestrating plays with five assists, while Cantia Rahming dominated the boards with another impressive double-double, securing 16 points and 10 rebounds. Rahming also turned the tides late in the second half with a emphatic poster dunk.
 
Despite their valiant efforts, Tampa ultimately fell short in containing Saint Leo's relentless offensive onslaught.
 
The game unfolded as a seesaw battle, with the lead swapping hands 10 times and both teams deadlocked at crucial moments throughout the contest. Fast breaks electrified the crowd, while each turnover and steal boosted the drama on the court.
 
In the end, it was Saint Leo's unwavering determination and collective effort that propelled them to a hard-earned victory. Their resolute defense and clutch shooting down the stretch proved to be the difference, clinching a crucial win a gauntlet of the SSC Conference.


 
The Lions improve to 9-11 overall and 4-8 in conference play, gaining momentum as they charge forward and look to string wins together as we get into the back half of conference play.  
 
The Lions look to carry that momentum over as they travel to Barry this Saturday February 3^rd. This game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. as the Lions look to get another big win.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Men'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.