Men's Basketball | 12/13/2003 4:10:00 PM

Box Score SAINT LEO – The Barry University men's basketball team defeated the Lions of Saint Leo University 59-53 Saturday afternoon at the Marion Bowman Center.

The Bucs (4-2) fell behind early on in the first half as Saint Leo (2-7)opened the game going on a 9-0 run and at one point led by as much as 10. However, the Bucs, who did not score a point until almost halfway through the first half turned it up a notch late bringing themselves to within 21-19 with 2:33 to play, but Saint Leo ended the half going on another 9-3 run to take a 30-22 lead into the half.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle. With 13:18 to play the Bucs found themselves down 43-31, however, with the help of four consecutive three-point baskets by Nick Long, Andres Alfonso, Clifford Smith and Casey Johnson and a two point basket by Smith, the Bucs cut the Lions lead to 46-45. Then after a defensive stop, Johnson knocked down another two-point basket to give the Bucs their first lead of the afternoon at 47-46. The Bucs extended their lead late in regulation to 55-49 as Johnson poured in his second three of the game and Alfonso followed with his third with time running out on the shot-clock. Barry iced the victory with solid free-throw shooting and went home with the 59-53 victory.

Johnson was the Bucs leading scorer with 13 points, while Perez added 12 and Alfonso 11.

Saint Leo's Larry Henderson led all scorers with 15 points.

Barry returns to action on Dec. 17 when they will take on East Central Oklahoma at Lynn University at 5:00 pm.