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Engaged Rowland Leads Lions To Win

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 20, 2009

ST. LEO - Kyle Rowland made a huge leap before tip-off Wednesday, taking a plunge with much more at stake than scrambling for a loose ball.

Prior to Wednesday night's game against the University of Tampa at the Bowman Center, Rowland proposed marriage to his girlfriend, Malia Niswander, and she said yes. Then the Lions (14-13, 7-7 Sunshine State Conference) beat the Spartans 70-66 to move into fourth place in the league standings with two games remaining.

The game was tied at 29 at half. Guard Quentin Cullop scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Lions' offense. Rowland led the team in blocks and steals while scoring nine points, and forward Jordan Prais had a double-double (12 points, 16 rebounds).

The win negated a loss to UT (13-10, 6-7) earlier in the year, and assured the Lions of a seeding no lower than sixth in next month's SSC Tournament.

QUICK END: The Saint Leo women's basketball team (10-14, 2-12 SSC) is locked out of the SSC Tournament because it has no chance of finishing outside of last place in the league standings. Only the top eight of the SSC's nine teams play in the conference tournament.

The Lions' fate was sealed by losing 70-52 to Tampa on Wednesday.

BASEBALL FINALLY WINS: After beginning the season with eight losses, Saint Leo and first-year coach Russ McNickle finally got their first win, 8-7 in 11 innings against Bentley University at Southard Stadium on Wednesday.

Pasco County prep product Aaron McLamar drove in the game-winner with a single. Eric Nickolaison (1-0) earned the victory in relief. Starter Jeff Bloomer threw five innings, allowing three hits and two runs (both unearned).

SOFTBALL SWEEPS: The Lions softball team (5-4) completed its second consecutive series sweep, taking two from Flagler, 6-5 and 11-7, on Tuesday.

MEN'S GOLF OPENS: Saint Leo opened its men's golf season by finishing sixth in the 2009 Matlock Collegiate Classic.

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at

tampasport@gmail.com.

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