SAINT LEO Fla. – The Saint Leo University women's basketball team knocked off #23 Nova Southeastern at home on Saturday. The Lions trailed after the opening quarter but that was all as they took a lead in the second quarter they never relinquished. Saint Leo's 66-58 win over Nova Southeastern marked the 250th career coaching victory for head coach Anthony Crocitto.

 Crocitto stated, "God is great and we are so proud. Alanis was incredible and took over down the stretch of the game while Vanessa refused to lose and be stopped, but Taydra was the glue on both ends of the court. I can't say enough about Mikaela and Ana because without their minutes, we don't get this one. Winning 250 is historic for me. I've had many tremendous head coach mentors and awesome assistants helping me, but in the end, those players win those 250."

Both defenses came out strong in the game's opening minutes as the two teams had numerous empty possessions early on. The Sharks took advantage of some turnovers by the home team and early foul trouble for Graduate Student Jumoke Adaramoye to take an eight-point lead while keeping the Lions scoreless for the opening five minutes of the quarter.
 
Junior Alanis Diaz put Saint Leo on the board with a second-chance jumper as the game entered a media timeout. The Sharks' lead reached 10 points late in the quarter, but a three-pointer from sophomore Olivia Agunzo and an and-one layup from freshman Vanessa McManus put the Lions within three after the first quarter.
 
The second quarter began much like the first, very defensively. Diaz capitalized with a three-pointer to tie the game and on the ensuing possession a layup to give the Lions their first lead of the afternoon. After both sides went without points for much of the closing minutes of the half, McManus drew another and-one on a layup to put Saint Leo up five going into halftime.
 
The Lions' strong momentum continued into the second half. Agunzo scored on a fast-break layup to give the Lions their largest lead of the game at nine points. The Sharks rallied quickly, going on a 7-0 run in a 35 second span to cut the lead to two. Junior Taydra Simpson quieted the Sharks run with a three-pointer to restore the seven-point lead. Nova Southeastern continued to fight their way back, cutting the lead to two as the third quarter drew to a close.
 
Senior Mikaela Hall opened the fourth quarter with an emphatic three-point play. McManus continued her impressive afternoon with field goals on back-to-back possessions as the Lions went up six points. Hall scored another four points as the Lions continued to answer every score by the Sharks.
 
McManus was incredibly clutch in the final minute, making all four free throws to extend the lead. The Lions held off a late charge from the Sharks to cap off an impressive upset victory.
 
 
McManus led the Lions with 19 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Diaz had an impressive double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Simpson scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Junior Anastasiya Astapenka made an impact coming off the bench grabbing six rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo returns to the court on Saturday, February 22 as it travels to Lakeland to take on Florida Southern in an SSC bout, starting at 4 p.m.