ST. LEO, Fla. – Florida Southern men's basketball traveled to Saint Leo Wednesday looking to lock up second place in the Sunshine State Conference but fell to the Lions 93-76 inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
"Credit to Saint Leo," Head Coach
Mike Donnelly commented. "They played really well. Even though we were out of rhythm, we battled back in the first half and I thought we were in decent shape despite having a really tough shooting half."
Donnelly added, "We had a lot of bad defensive breakdowns in the second half and never could execute offensively which cost us the game. Just need to move-on quickly and prepare for a big game at home on senior night against Barry."
Redshirt sophomore
Jadin Booth provided another big night for the Moccasins (18-8, 12-7 SSC) with a 27-point performance, making headway at the free throw line going 12-for-17 from the stripe. Booth drew 12 fouls on the night to help get to the free throw line to keep the Mocs within striking distance.
Redshirt senior
E.J. Dambreville recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt sophomore
Luke Anderson chipped in nine points for the Mocs.
Kanon Koster nearly had a double-double for the Lions (21-9, 12-7 SSC) with a game-high 30 points while hauling in nine boards. Marty Jackson finished with 29 points as Grant Disken tallied 12.
The Lions jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead, before the Mocs battled and got things rolling to eventually claim a one-point lead, 21-20 with a
Jadin Booth layup on a fast break. A quick burst from Saint Leo pushed the Lions ahead by seven, 31-24 with 3:53 to play before carrying a four-point lead into the break, 36-32.
Saint Leo opened the second half with four straight points but saw the gap close to 40-36, thanks to a pair of baskets from
Luke Anderson and
Jadin Booth. Florida Southern would stay close for the next several minutes, but the Lions pushed to a 12-point lead, a lead they would never relinquish, eventually going on for the win.
Freshman
Donovan Smith, redshirt junior
Babatunde Ajike, and freshman
Riley Buccino would score the final eight points for the Moccasins on the road Wednesday as the game came to a final, 93-76.
Florida Southern will return home for the regular-season finale against the Barry Buccaneers where the Moccasins will celebrate the seniors –
E.J. Dambreville,
Farris Kabalaoui, and
Babatunde Ajike – prior to tip. The game is a whiteout presented by the BarberSkate Shop with an after-party hosted at the Yard on Mass.
