SAINT LEO, FLA - After shooting over 50 percent in the first half, the Falcons went cold in the final 20 minutes in a 74-64 loss to Saint Leo on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons slipped to 0-2 with the loss, while Saint Leo evened their record at 1-1. 

UM led most of the first half on the strength of 15-of-28 shooting (53.5%). The solid offensive output led to a 37-29 halftime lead for the Falcons. However, in the second half, the host Lions turned the tables, hitting 56.2% from the field (18-of-32), while UM hit only 9-of-31 shots. The result was a 45-27 advantage for Saint Leo in the final 20 minutes.

It didn't take long for the lead to disappear for the Falcons. The Lions came out of the locker room roaring, scoring the first seven points to trim the lead to 37-36 with 17:05 left in the game. The Falcons withstood the initial rally and pushed their lead back out to seven points. A 3-pointer by Mason Shifflett gave UM a 47-40 lead with 12:49 left. But, SLU responded with a 17-0 run to take the lead at 57-47 lead with 7:26 left. 

The Lions increased their lead to 18 late in the game and UM would get no closer the nine the rest of the way.

James McNeil topped the score sheet for the Falcons with 13 points. He was 5-for-10 in the game with a 3-pointer and a pair of freethrows. James King added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Braxton Bertolette contributed 10 points.

The Falcons return home to host LaGrange College on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Trustmark Arena.