Box Score LAKELAND, Florida – St. Edward's men's basketball was held to just 13.3 percent from three-point range and 30 percent from the field in the second half, leading to a 77-67 loss to Saint Leo Friday evening.
 
SEU started strong and quickly built up a nine point advantage, 18-9, on a three from MARCUS HILL seven minutes into the game. The Hilltoppers then went scoreless for the next three minutes, allowing SLU to remain within reach. By halftime, the score was even 35-35.
 
UCHE DIBIAMAKA made a layup to open the second half followed by a three-point play by LOGAN COOK, but St. Edward's then struggled to find their rhythm and missed their next 11 shots, allowing Saint Leo to go up by eight, 48-40, five minutes into the half.
 
With 11:36 remaining in the game, SLU extended their lead to ten, 57-47. The Hilltoppers pulled within four, 63-59, on DANIEL VENZANT's fast break layup, but Saint Leo always seemed to have the run needed to keep SEU from regaining the lead.
 
St. Edward's was held to 32.5 percent from the field and 25 percent from three point range in the loss. Venzant led offensively with 23 points, two assists and two steals, while Dibiamaka added 13 points. Cook led on the glass with 12 rebounds as the Hilltoppers were outrebounded 44-41.
 
SEU falls to 3-2 on the season and remain in Florida to face Florida Southern on Saturday at 6:30 pm Central Time.