NO. 20 SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY (FLA.) MEN’S BASKETBALL CLAIMS FIRST-EVER SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE TITLE

(courtesy of Saint Leo University Athletics Communication)

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The 20th-ranked Saint Leo University men’s basketball team won at least a share of the 2013 Sunshine State Conference Championship on Saturday when the Lions defeated Rollins College 76-60 in Winter Park.  A loss by Florida Southern that same day guaranteed the Lions no worse than a share of the title, but Saint Leo can win the championship outright by beating Eckerd College at home on Wednesday night.

The Lions’ résumé this season is impressive and continues to build as we begin to focus on the SSC and NCAA Tournaments.  Here is a small sample of what our student-athletes have accomplished just two years after a 12-16 finish where the Lions won just four conference games:

–          2012-13 Sunshine State Conference Champions

–          Current record: 20-5 overall, 12-3 Sunshine State Conference

–          Marcus Ruh (Green Bay, Wisc.) named Academic All-America of the Year – http://bit.ly/WeA0Cj

–          First 20-win season in program history

–          First 12-win season in conference history

–          Best overall record in program history

–          Preseason #1 in Sunshine State Conference – http://bit.ly/WezPa5

–          Ranked in the Top-25 nationally – http://bit.ly/WezVyq

–          First back-to-back winning seasons in 27 years

–          First back-to-back conference winning seasons in history

–          Guaranteed No. 1 seed in upcoming Sunshine State Conference Tournament for first time ever

–          69-67 exhibition win over Top-5 Division I University of Miami (The Hurricanes only loss at home this season) – http://bit.ly/WezRP6

–          Top-3 in NCAA South Region – http://bit.ly/WeA6tx

The regular season wraps up at home on Wednesday.  The men’s game is a ‘White Out’ as we look to claim the SSC title outright with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The game will be carried live on the Saint Leo Lions Sports Network so fans can watch from anywhere, including smartphones and tablets. If you are unable to attend the games, watch them here: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/saintleo.portal#. The broadcast will go live with the Creative Contractors Build-Up to the Game approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tip-off with Rocket Sports & Entertainment Network’s Rick Sassone (play-by-play) and Mike Madigan (color).