TAMPA, Fla. – Saint Leo University men's basketball team opened the second half of conference play in Tampa on Saturday afternoon. The Lions took on a Spartan team on a three-game win streak. The Lions mounted a comeback late in the second half however the home team was able to hold them off for a 95-86 Saint Leo loss. Saint Leo falls to 8-11 overall and 3-8 in SSC play while Tampa improves to 14-5 and 6-5 in conference play.

Four of the Lions five starters hit double-digit points with Jaylan McElroy leading the way with 27 points. Freshmen Brady Corso (19), Camden Cerese (15), and Tae Wilson (12) rounded out the starting five in double-digits. Wilson recorded back-to-back double-doubles for the second time this season and his fifth in the Green & Gold. Wilson also surpassed the 500-career rebounding mark with 12 rebounds and currently sits with 517 career rebounds.

TAMPA 95, SAINT LEO 86

• Saint Leo fell 95-86 to Tampa, despite a valiant effort in the second half where they scored 49 points to narrow the deficit.
• Jaylan McElroy led the Lions with a standout 27-point performance on 11-of-16 shooting, adding four rebounds and four steals.
• Brady Corso contributed 19 points and five assists, hitting three three-pointers to keep Saint Leo within striking distance.
• Tampa capitalized on Saint Leo's 15 turnovers, converting them into 23 points that proved decisive in the game.
• The Lions dominated the glass, grabbing 43 rebounds compared to Tampa's 42, including 12 from Tae Wilson, who also added 12 points.
• Saint Leo struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 63% (17-of-27), while Tampa converted 72% of their attempts (18-of-25).
• Tampa's Bryan Williams scored a game-high 27 points, going 10-of-21 from the field, including three three-pointers.
• The Lions shot 48.4% from the field and scored 44 points in the paint but allowed Tampa to outpace them with 48 points inside.
• Tampa's bench outscored Saint Leo's 14-13, with key contributions from Trey Lane and Kyler Lamb during pivotal moments.
• Despite four ties and four lead changes, Tampa used a 9-0 run late in the second half to pull away and secure the win.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo heads to St. Petersburg on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip off at Eckerd.