SAINT LEO, Fla. — Florida Southern (7-1, 1-0 Sunshine State) secured a 101-93 overtime victory in their conference opener over Saint Leo (3-4, 0-2 Sunshine State) on Wednesday night at the Marion Bowman Center. The No. 18 Mocs capitalized on 13 steals to outpace the Lions, scoring 29 fast-break points.
"Proud of our guys," said Moccasin head coach Mike Donnelly. "We knew tonight was going to be a tough game, and Saint Leo played lights out in the second half. But, we found a way and that's the most important thing. We continue to learn a lot about our guys. Best thing about our win was the grit and competitive spirit that we showed, especially down the stretch."
The first half began with Florida Southern establishing an early lead through effective shooting and defensive stops. Amare Miller and Elijah Walsh contributed to a quick pace with successful fast breaks and 3-point shots. Charlie Dalton's assists bolstered the team's offensive flow, leading to a significant scoring run.
FSC capitalized on turnovers, extending their lead with key fast break plays and maintaining momentum through consistent defensive rebounds. Khalil Ross and Spencer Schomers added to the scoring effort, helping the team close the half strongly. By the end of the first half, the Mocs led 49-35.
The Moccasins entered the second half with a strong defensive stance, highlighted by Dalton's steal and subsequent free throws to build a substantial lead early on. As the half progressed, the Lions mounted a comeback with a series of 3-pointers, narrowing the gap. Despite a late surge from the Lions, the Mocs maintained composure, with Dalton and Ameer Ramadan sinking crucial free throws in the final moments to tie the game at 81. The second half concluded with both teams deadlocked, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Florida Southern seized momentum early in the overtime, capitalizing on a strong defensive stand and converting turnovers into points. Ramadan played a pivotal role, scoring consistently from the free-throw line and contributing to fast breaks. The Mocs' defense forced multiple turnovers, allowing Schomers to execute successful layups and extend their lead.
As overtime progressed, the Moccasins maintained control by effectively managing possessions and creating scoring opportunities inside the paint. Dalton and Ross added crucial points, helping to widen the gap. The game concluded with FSC leading, 101–93, after a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure.
Walsh scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and added seven rebounds and three steals. Ross also tallied 15 points, converting seven field goals and collecting five rebounds while contributing three steals. Ramadan led the scoring with 19 points, converting 9 of 10 free throws. Brady Corso recorded 16 points, sinking three 3-pointers and making 7 of 10 free throws.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will host Rollins for Alumni Day at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 6. The game will tip off at 4:30 p.m.
