NOTRE DAME, Ind. --- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team opened the non-conference portion of their schedule tonight in Notre Dame, Ind. where the Lady Gyrenes were defeated by the Saints of Holy Cross, 66-62.

The Blue and Green could not find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 23.3% from the field and going 0-for-11 from behind the arc in the first half.

The Lady Gyrenes come out firing in the second half as they began to chip away at the 10 point first half deficit. With 12:05 left to go in the game, senior Ashlee Rioux (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) sank two free throws to tie the game at 36. Less than a minute later, Holy Cross' Kari Barnes made a three point shot to put the Saints ahead. Junior Annie Artise (St. Petersburg, Fla.) immediately answered scoring a three of her own to tie the score once again, 39-39.

In the next 12 minutes, the Saints were able to push ahead, but the Gyrenes stayed close. With 2:49 left to play in the game, freshman Saje Schlatterer (St. Petersburg, Fla.) got a defensive rebound off of a missed free throw and was able to take it end line to end line to bring AMU within two, 62-60.

The Saints were able to shut the door in the final two minutes outscoring the Gyrenes down the stretch 6-2.

Senior Madison McDonald (St. Augustine, Fla.) had a career night to lead the Blue and Green. She finished with 22 points, shooting an impressive 62.5% (10-16) from the field. Artise chipped in with 15 points of her own and six rebounds. Freshman Andie Wagner (Ft. Myers, Fla.) added four points for AMU and a team-leading nine rebounds.

Ave Maria was out rebounded by Holy Cross 51-37. Barnes led the Saints with 24 points while Carmen Lowe had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

The Lady Gyrenes return to the court tomorrow when they travel to Bethel College for a 7p.m. matchup with the Pilots.