MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Buccaneers play their first home Sunshine State Conference games of the semester on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they host the Saint Leo Lions. The women tip off at 5:30 pm, while the men follow at 7:30 pm. 
 

Women's Basketball - Wednesday, Jan. 3, 5:30 pm, Health & Sports Center

Barry is 10-3, 3-2 in the SSC after falling 86-76 at Nova Southeastern on Saturday. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Bucs. 

Kiara Palmer leads the Bucs in scoring (15.8), rebounding (10.8), shooting (55.6) and blocked shots (2.9). The 6-0 senior has Posted seven double-doubles this season. Barbara Cousiño is chipping in 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and a team-high 2.8 assists. She leads the conference in free throw shooting at 89.1 percent. Ida Andersson is third in scoring (10.6) and second in rebounding (5.1). 

The Lions (7-7, 2-4 SSC) dropped a 67-52 decision to Lynn on Saturday, snapping a six-game winning streak. 

Ragen Dotson is the only Lion in double figures at 13.6 points per game. Nikira Hooks leads the team in rebounding at 5.6 per game.Gina Brierley averages a team-high 4.3 assists per game.

GAME NOTES:

• Barry leads the all-time series 43-18 and are 13-4 since 2010. Last year, the teams split the series, with each winning on the road. Barry won 71-61 in Saint Leo, while the Lions took a 70-67 win in Miami Shores.
• Despite leading the conference in made three-pointers at 9.2 per game, the Bucs average 26.3 points per game in the paint
• Barry averages 21.3 points per game off the bench, compared to just 12.2 per game for the opponents
• The Lions are a very young team, with 10 freshmen and sophomores among 14 players

Men's Basketball - Wednesday, Jan. 3, 7:30 pm, Health & Sports Center

The Buccaneers (9-1, 5-0 SSC) begin a three-game home stand with Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. tip-off against the Saint Leo Lions. Barry has won six in a row, and did not drop a game in December. The Bucs are ranked in the Top 10 in both of the Division II polls, and lead the SSC standings by themselves.

Daniel Mortensen is coming off his best game of the season as he scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 100-73 win over Nova Southeastern. He was named the SSC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year. He's led the team in rebounds the last three games. For the year, he's averaging 12.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. Elvar Fridriksson is scoring 21.2 points and dishing out seven assists per game. He's scored in double figures the last seven games, including 20+ in four of the past five.  Sawyer Glick (15.0), Sunday Dech (14.1) and Johannes Dolven (10.8) are also averaging double figures for the second-ranked offense in the SSC (95.3).

Saint Leo is coming off an 82-66 loss to No. 19 Southern New Hampshire Sunday. They have dropped four of their last six games, including losses to common foes Palm Beach Atlantic, Rollins and Thomas. 

Though Junior Searcy (12.0 ppg), Isaiah Hill (11.5), Tyreece Bryce (11.3), DeAndre King (11.2) are all scoring in double figures for the Lions, Saint Leo still ranks last in the conference in scoring at 71.8 points per game.

GAME NOTES:

• Though the series is tied 35-35, the Bucs have won seven of eight since 2014.
• The series split last season, with both teams winning at home. Saint Leo won 99-93 in overtime, while Barry won 96-91
• The Bucs lead the SSC in both three-point field goal shooting at 41.4 percent and made three-pointers at 14.3
• Despite their outside proclivities, the Bucs average 33.8 points per game in the paint and 15.3 on second-chance opportunities
• Barry has four wins this season after trailing by double-figures, al on the road: Eckerd, Tampa, Indianapolis and Nova Southeastern
• Barry is getting 30.1 points per game off the bench