AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria women's basketball team defeated St. Catharine College, 88-83 (OT) in a non-conference game on Monday afternoon. The Gyrenes improve to 8-4 on the season, 1-1 in the Sun Conference. The Blue and Green will return to the court tomorrow at 12 noon at the Tom Golisano field house when they take on St. Catharine College to finish up the home and home series with the visiting Patriots.
Four members of the team scored in double figures. Madison McDonald led the way with 27 points, four assists and four steals. Amber Frounfelter contributed 20 points and shot 7-8 from the free throw line. Annie Artise chipped in 15 points and four assists, while Yvanessa Vincent had 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals in the win.
It was all Ave Maria early in the first half as they were able to go on a 11-0 scoring run in the first six minutes. With 6:30 to go in the first half, AMU was up by 10 when the visiting Patriots went on a run of their own to cut the lead to three off of a jumper by Jenna Thornhill. AMU was able to score 13 points off of the Patriots 12 first half turnovers.
In the second half, AMU scored often and early as they were able to build on their halftime lead. With 17 minutes remaining the Lady Gyrenes built up a nine point lead before the Patriots called a timeout. St Catharine came out of the time out with a vengeance. In the next 10 minutes, the visiting team forced nine turnovers and scored 10 points off of the mistakes of the Lady Gyrenes. With six minutes remaining and the score tied, the Patriots took the lead off of a three-pointer from Stacie Shrout. The Patriots went on to build a six point lead before McDonald made two free throws with 20 seconds left in the game to force overtime.
AMU never trailed as they outscored St Catharine 15-10 in the five minute overtime period.
The Lady Gyrenes shot 40% for the game and 77 % from the free throw line.
Fort Myers native, Sasha Ruiz Lopez, led the Patriots with a double-double scoring 20 second half points and grabbing 10 total rebounds.
