SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo University men's basketball team improved to 4-1 on the season with an 81-63 victory over the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez on Wednesday afternoon. The Thanksgiving appetizer continued a strong stretch to open the season for the Lions as Wednesday's win was a total team effort.

Logan Ryan (18), Tae Wilson (15), Owen Pawlikowski (10) all scored double digits for the Lions. Wilson and Eric Jones each brought down a game-best eight rebounds as Jones had seven defensive boards. As a team, Saint Leo out narrowly out rebounded the Tarzans 39-37. Both teams' benches combined for 59 points with the Lions bench contributing 30 points in the winning effort.

SAINT LEO 81, UPR – MAYAGUEZ 67
FIRST HALF

• Saint Leo jumped to an early lead with a dominant 13-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Logan Ryan and fastbreak layups from Jaylan McElroy and Tae Wilson.
• Ryan scored 18 points, including three three-pointers, while shooting seven-for-nine from the field.
• The Lions forced nine turnovers in the first half, converting them into 16 points, while committing just three fouls.
• Saint Leo overpowered P.R.-Mayaguez inside, scoring 26 of their 47 first-half points in the paint.
• Four Lions—Ryan (18), Wilson (15), Owen Pawlikowski (10), and Amar Hot (7)—paced the Green & Gold offense.

SECOND HALF

• The Lions kept up the defensive intensity, holding P.R.-Mayaguez to just 12.5% shooting from beyond the arc in the second half.
• Jaylan McElroy contributed nine points and six rebounds, providing critical hustle plays and second-chance opportunities.
• Saint Leo scored 18 fastbreak points overall, keeping P.R.-Mayaguez on their heels throughout the game.
• The Lions' reserves added 30 points, with Camden Cerese and Alex Sherwood making key plays down the stretch despite just a pair of made baskets by Alex Sherwood over the final four minutes of the game.
• Saint Leo outscored its opponent 48-32 in the paint, cementing its control on both ends of the floor.

 
UP NEXT
The Lions will return from the Thanksgiving holiday with a pair of games this weekend. Saint Leo heads to Lakeland for the Century Retail Thanksgiving Classic (formerly known as the Mocs Thanksgiving Classic). Saint Leo will take on Morehouse and Clark Atlanta with both games set to tip off at 5 p.m. The Lions return home for a pair of SSC contests against local opponents to open the final month of 2024. Eckerd (Dec. 4) and Tampa (Dec. 6) will each make a trip the Bowman Center in the first week of December.