MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Saint Leo University men's basketball team used an exhilarating second half to earn open Sunshine State Conference play with a win. The Lions chipped away at a 12-point halftime deficit to leave Florida Tech with a 72-67 victory. Saint Leo improved to 3-1 on the young season and opens SSC action 1-0. The win marks the first SSC win for interim head coach Spencer Henke. 

Owen Pawlikowski led the Green & Gold with 21 points, Amar Hot added 19 points and Eric Jones added another 15 points in the win.

SAINT LEO 72, FLORIDA TECH 67

• The first half saw Florida Tech take control early, shooting 58.6% from the field and building a 43-31 lead at the break. Saint Leo struggled offensively, hitting just 20% of its three-point attempts, but kept within striking distance thanks to strong free-throw shooting from Owen Pawlikowski and Eric Jones.
• Saint Leo flipped the script in the second half with improved shooting and defensive intensity. Pawlikowski led the Lions with 21 points, including clutch free throws in the closing minutes, while Amar Hot added 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
• Jones recorded a double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds, providing a key presence inside. The Lions took their first lead with just over a minute to play and iced the game at the line, moving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in SSC play.

 
UP NEXT
The Lions return home for a pre-Thanksgiving match up against UPR-Mayaguez at home on Wednesday. The opening tip is set for 1 p.m. at the Marion Bowman Center.