BARTLEY SCORES 25 IN OPENING GAME WIN, 70-66

November 3, 2009

For Immediate Release November 3, 2009 Contact: Scott Jamison 352-395-5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SFC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

#7 LADY SAINTS WIN OPENER OVER TCC, 70-66

Tallahassee, FL – Lanita Bartley started her sophomore campaign with a sensational game against #5 Tallahassee CC (0-1), scoring 25 points to lead the defending Mid-Florida Conference Saints (1-0) to the opening game win.

"This was a good way to start the season," said Saints' Coach Chanda Stebbins. "We weathered the TCC runs well and did a good job of executing in the last three minutes."

The teams traded the lead back and forth in the first half before Santa Fe's Jaysha Russell hit a free throw to give SFC a 19-18 lead with 6:25 left in the first half. The Saints then went on a 12-4 run sparked by two Leandra King lay-ups to push the lead to 31-22. TCC closed the half with five straight points for a 31-27 halftime score.

In the second half TCC climbed back into the game, taking a 50-49 lead with nine minutes left. Five minutes later, with the score tied 62-62, Bartley gave SFC the lead for good on a layup and Jaysha Russell pushed the lead to four with a put back.

Down the stretch Bartley converted four straight free throws to preserve the Saints victory. She was 12-for-14 from the line for the game

The tightly contested game had 13 lead changes and eight ties.

"We are very happy with our team's effort and we look forwarding to improving every day," said Stebbins. "A lot of players contributed tonight for us and that's exactly how we want to win."

Bartley led all scorers with 25 points and also had seven rebounds, three steals and three assists. Russell finished with 11 points and Tracie Sneed chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Saints will play their home opener on Friday at 7pm when Palm Beach CC comes to Gainesville.

For more information and a complete schedule, please visit santafesaints.com.

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