AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team returns to the court on Tuesday afternoon when they host 15th-ranked Saint Xavier (Ill.) at 7 p.m. at Tom Golisano Field House. Later in the week, AMU travels to NCAA DI Florida Gulf Coast University for a Friday night tilt.
 
GYRENES RECAP
 
The Blue and Green come into the week with a 6-5 overall record and a 0-2 mark in conference play. The week prior to the holiday break, the Gyrenes defeated Coastal Georgia 71-49 before falling to Trinity Baptist 66-60 in overtime. AMU concluded the week with a 60-54 exhibition win over Georgia Gwinnett.
 
Against Coastal Georgia, four Gyrenes scored in double-figures led by Exor Torres who finished 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe en route to 19 points. Jelani Bonner recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds in 39 minutes. Nate Krimsky had a breakout game for the Blue and Green, recording a season-best in rebounds (10), points (8), and assists (5).
 
In the overtime loss to Trinity Baptist, Brandon Pasker led the Blue and Green with 18 points. Torres added 13 points to go along with five steals and Bonner grabbed a game-high 12 boards and totaled nine points on the night.
 
GYRENE CATEGORY LEADERS
 
Points – Jelani Bonner, 12.7 PPG
Rebounds – Jelani Bonner, 9.0 RPG
Assists – Nate Krimsky, 20 Assists
Steals – Exor Torres, 16 Steals
Blocks – Nate Krimsky, 7 Blocks
 
SCOUTING SAINT XAVIER (ILL.)
 
Saint Xavier enters the week with a 9-5 overall record and a 3-2 record in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 15th-ranked Cougars defeated Lourdes University 84-73 in the previous outing, snapping a three game skid. SXU has played a tough schedule so far this season with win against (RV) Rio Grande and #17 Robert Morris and losses to #2 Cardinal Stritch and #6 Davenport.
 
Jack Krieger leads the Cougars in scoring, averaging nearly 23 points per contest, which ranks eighth in the NAIA. He has made 35 shots from behind the arc. Stanley Moore averages 13.5 points per game and leads Saint Xavier with 68 assists and 22 steals on the season.
 
SCOUTING FGCU
 
FGCU has a 9-4 overall record entering the week. They will travel to Pittsburgh on Tuesday before taking on the Gyrenes on Friday night. The Eagles are currently on a two-game skid, falling to FIU and Xavier in the past week. FGCU is 5-1 at home this season.
 
Bernard Thompson leads four Eagles that average in double-figures with 15.5 points per game. He also leads the team in steals with 26 and in three-pointers made with 79. Brett Comer (11.8 ppg), Julian DeBose (11.6 ppg), and Jamail Jones (11.1) also average double-figure points for FGCU. Marc-Eddy Norelia is FGCU's leading rebounder, grabbing 6.8 boards per contest to go along with 9.5 points.
 
AMU HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS (AS OF 12/30)
 
TEAM RANKINGS
 

• Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (25.273)
• Ranks Number 2 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.362)
• Ranks Number 2 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (54.273)
• Ranks Number 16 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (8.545)
• Ranks Number 26 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.319)
• Ranks Number 42 in Division II in Free Throw Pct (0.712)
• Ranks Number 47 in Division II in Scoring Margin (8.091)

 
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
 

• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 18 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (9.000)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 21 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (6.182)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 40 in Division II in Offensive Rebounds per Game (2.818)