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Men's Basketball Team Brings New Attitude To The Court

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By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 2, 2008

ST. LEO - What a difference a decrease in injuries, a couple of more made free throws and a better attitude make.

Just last week, Saint Leo's men's basketball players were searching for answers about why they were struggling, at 1-5 in the Sunshine State Conference. Now, after back-to-back league wins against Barry and Florida Tech, the Lions are 3-5 midway through the conference schedule, knowing they could be 5-3 if not for a pair of overtime losses at home.

"Early on, we were finding our way. Now it's, 'I know we're good, let's go play,'" Saint Leo coach Mike Madagan said. "What was missing for us early was an attitude, and we had some key people out at different positions.

"Our confidence is as high as it's been all season, and there's certainly more buy-in than a week ago, two weeks ago."

Wednesday's come-from-behind 82-80 victory against the Panthers was a perfect example of the confidence and the change in attitude. Trailing by nine with 6:49 left, Saint Leo pulled even on the strength of 3-point shooting by Dusty Driggs.

He scored seven consecutive points for the Lions, including a 4-point play when he made a 3-pointer from the right baseline despite being fouled. The ensuing free throw tied the game. Driggs was able to put the game out of reach from the free-throw line in the closing minutes.

"The worst thing you can do as a shooter is stop shooting," Driggs said of finishing the game strong. "I think all those close games kind of helped us as a team. We're more calm now, and we know we can come back."

The Lions (9-9) will go for a third consecutive win today at 4 against Palm Beach Atlantic.

NINE OF 10 NOT BAD: Women's basketball coach Chanita Olds makes a poster with 10 goals for her team to accomplish before each game. Wednesday night against Florida Tech, the Lions reached nine of those, and snapped their nine-game losing streak to the Panthers with a 78-62 victory.

The goals attained were: 1. No opponent scores 20 points; 2. Allow 65 points or less; 3. Force 10 or more steals; 4. Outrebound FIT on offense and defense; 5. Shoot better than 40 percent from the field; 6. Shoot better than 70 percent from the free-throw line; 7. Play with intensity and make hustle plays; 8. A deflection is as good as a steal; 9. Play to win. The only one they missed was by committing 18 turnovers; the goal was 17 or fewer.

"Since I've started coaching, I've had a desire to defeat the coaches that I had to play against," said Olds, referring to her friend and FIT coach John Reynolds. "It was a great win. ... I thank my players for getting this W."

The Lions (9-10, 2-6) would have been in last place in the SSC if they had lost, but they are in a three-way tie with FIT and Rollins, their next opponent.

LION LEFTOVERS: Though neither basketball team appeared in the latest NCAA II South Region rankings, they will have a chance to make a big impression in the next two weeks. The men play No. 6 Rollins on Wednesday and No. 1 Tampa on Feb. 13, while the women play No. 6 Lynn on Feb. 9 and No. 4 Tampa on Feb. 13. ... Following their home series against Florida Tech, which continues with a doubleheader today, the baseball team will play four road games in seven days against SSC opponents, though none will count in the league standings. ... Six new green-and-gold banners were hung in the Bowman Center this week, one for each of the university's core values: excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship and integrity.
SAINT LEO SHORTS

HONOR ROLL: The Lions placed 37 student-athletes on the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll for the fall semester. Swimmer and cross country runner Javier Beuzeville led the way with a 4.0 grade-point average.

SOUND-BITE CENTRAL: "I'm a talker. One thing I will not do is stop talking. I played Tuesday with the girls, and they were starting to get mad because I was talking. It made the girls much more competitive." - Women's basketball coach Chanita Olds, on getting ready for today's 2 p.m. alumni game. She and 10 other alumni will face the current women's team, and the men's alumni also will play during rotating seven-minute periods.

KEEP AN EYE ON: The university will pay tribute to National Girls and Women in Sports Day with a reception Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Student Community Center. St. Petersburg resident and former nationally ranked tennis player Betsy Nagelsen McCormack will be presented with an award, and current female SLU athletes also will be honored. Tickets are $35 and are available through the athletic department.

Bart O'Connell

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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