WINTER PARK, Fla. (December 31, 2025) – Rollins women's basketball fell to Saint Leo on Wednesday afternoon inside Warden Arena, 83–66.
Saint Leo opened the game on an 11–0 run before
Ellie Thompson connected from deep to get the Tars on the board.
Victoria Escribano followed with two free throws, setting up a jumper from
Elaina Kline-Ruminski to continue cutting into the deficit. Kline-Ruminski then buried a three to bring Rollins within four, but the Lions closed the quarter on an 11–2 stretch to take a 25–12 lead after one.
Faith Newton and Kline-Ruminski answered early second-quarter scoring from Saint Leo to keep the game within reach.
Grace Craig and
Tara Murray each added layups, and
Claire Erickson joined Newton in responding to Lion baskets to stabilize the margin. Erickson and Kline-Ruminski each scored again to trim the deficit back to single digits before Craig converted at the line to make it 42–33 heading into halftime.
A Saint Leo three opened the third, but Craig answered immediately with a layup. Escribano and Craig continued to chip away, though the Lions maintained their advantage. Kline-Ruminski hit a pair at the line, then followed another Craig finish with one of her own to cut the margin to eight. After Saint Leo's response, Rollins closed the quarter strong behind baskets from Kline-Ruminski and Escribano, narrowing the gap to seven heading into the fourth.
Erickson kicked off the final frame with a three, but Saint Leo countered with a run to extend the lead. Newton added a free throw, and Escribano followed with a layup to keep Rollins within range. Newton and Escribano struck again late, and Craig and
Jordyn Egger added the final Tars points of the day, but the Lions held on for the 83–66 final.
Craig turned in a standout performance on the glass, pulling down a season-high 19 rebounds to go along with 13 points and three steals. Kline-Ruminski led all Tars with a season-high 20 points of her own as well as five rebounds. Escribano and Newton each finished with five boards as well, scoring 12 and eight points, respectively. Rollins totaled 32 points in the paint, 14 fast-break points, and 24 off the bench, shooting 31% from the field and 70.8% at the line.
Rollins moves to 5–7 overall and 0–5 in SSC play, while Saint Leo improves to 5–4 (2–2 SSC). The Tars return to action Saturday, Jan. 3, for a 2 p.m. conference matchup at Barry.
