SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo women's basketball team defeated
Georgia Southwestern, 77-75, on the opening night of the Sleep Inn
Classic, Friday evening from the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
In the first half, both teams matched each other in intensity,
and through the first 10 minutes of the initial period, the score
remained close with SLU holding a slight 22-20 advantage. Saint
Leo, who opened the regular season with a win at Division I
Stetson, went on a 10-5 run to increase their lead to seven
and held that advantage into the break.
GSW went on a 16-4 run to start the second half; eventually
gaining a five point advantage with 12:02 left in regulation. SLU
answered with five straight points to even the score at 53. The
back and forth tussle continued until it appeared the Lady
Hurricanes gained control of the contest with a 10-1 run in a three
minute time span, sparked by eight consecutive points from Kanita
Holloway.
Despite a 63-54 lead by the Lady 'Canes, the Lions went on a
12-4 run to regain a one-point lead with 2:59 to play. SLU
stretched the lead to three on a basket a few moments later.
Jonneshia Pineda evened the score for GSW at 71 apiece with 1:12
left when she connected on the first of two free throws, but that
was as close as Southwestern would get as Saint Leo scored six of
the final 10 points to lock up the testy, hard-fought game.
Holloway connected on 8-of-12 from the floor and led all players
with 27 points. Brittany Reynolds posted her eighth career
double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Brandi
Burris added 12 points and pulled down seven boards.
Saint Leo had four players score in double figures, including 15
points by Willonda Windham. Lauren Lee added 14 points and nine
rebounds. Sierra Williams chipped in 12 points and five rebounds,
while Dominique Daniels contributed 11 points and five boards.
As a team, the Lions held a slim advantage from the floor,
outshooting the Hurricanes 40.0 % (26-for-65) to 39.1 %
(25-for-64). GSW outrebounded Saint Leo, 51-46.
Southwestern returns to action Saturday against Florida
Southern on the second day of the Sleep Inn Classic. Tip-off is set
for 5:30 p.m.
