SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's basketball team collected a 75-67 victory over Clark Atlanta at home in the 2024-25 season-opener on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest.

The first quarter featured a stout Lions defense that forced seven turnovers and held the Panthers to a 33.3 shooting percentage. The Green and Gold fired on all cylinders out of the gates, exploding to a 10-2 lead in the first frame and maintaining their lead with a 20-13 margin at the end of the quarter.

Saint Leo's offense continued to roll in the second quarter by extending its lead to 45-26 heading into halftime. Clark Atlanta's offense was held to a 37.5 shooting percentage in the quarter while the Lions shot a staggering 66.67 percentage going 10-for-15 from the floor. The Green and Gold also held a presence in the paint with 14 points coming from there.

During the third frame, the Lions maintained their double-digit cushion in addition to capturing their biggest lead of the game at 53-32 following a jumper from freshman Vanessa McManus. At the end of the quarter, the Panthers trimmed their deficit to 57-45.

In the fourth quarter, Clark Atlanta outscored Saint Leo 22-18, however, a pair of free throws from junior Taydra Simpson iced the game to give the Lions a 72-63 edge with 21 seconds left in the game. Saint Leo held the Panthers at bay for the 75-67 win.

The Green and Gold offense was led by Simpson, who laced 19 points with eight rebounds and dished out six assists in addition to a pair of steals and two blocks. McManus recorded 14 points in her collegiate debut while notching four boards and three assists. Junior Alanis Diaz tallied nine points, three rebounds and one steal while graduate student Jumoke Adaramoye posted nine shots, seven rebounds and a trio of blocks.

Saint Leo finished the game with a 48.2 shooting percentage while tallying a 37.5 percentage from beyond the arc and converting 71.4 percent from the free throw line.

The Lions return to action on Tuesday, November 12, as they host Trinity College with tip-off slated for 5 p.m.