AVE MARIA, Fla. --- Jelani Bonner scored a career-high 33 points to propel the Ave Maria men's basketball team (7-5) past 15th-ranked St. Xavier, 67-61, on Tuesday night. The Gyrenes return to the court on Friday night when they travel to Ft. Myers to take on NCAA DI Florida Gulf Coast at 7:05 p.m.
 
Bonner made 15-of-20 from the field en route to his 33 points. He also grabbed five boards. Exor Torres added 15 points and made a pair of threes down the stretch to help secure the victory for AMU. Brandon Dean also finished in double-figures for the Gyrenes with 11 points.
 
As a team, the Gyrenes shot 53.1 percent (26-of-49) from the field and 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from behind the arc. The Blue and Green defense held St. Xavier to 36.7 percent (22-of-60) shooting on the night.
 
Laurynas Motuzis led St. Xavier with 17 points and seven rebounds on the night. Jack Krieger added 16 points for the Cougars. Mitch Uratchko recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards.
 
AMU controlled the pace of the game for most of the first half and took an early seven points lead, 13-6, on a Dean three with 12:45 to play in the opening half. Behind a strong defensive effort, the Blue and Green were able to maintain the lead and head into the halftime break ahead, 27-22.
 
Just over two minutes into the second half, Julian Adams knocked down a jumper to give the Gyrenes their biggest lead of the game at 31-22. The 15th-ranked Cougars would battle back and tie the game at 40-40 at the 12-minute mark. With just under 10 minutes to play, St. Xavier took its first lead of the game, 44-43.
 
Bonner then went on a quick five-point run with a layup and a three to regain the lead for the Gyrenes. With the Blue and Green leading by one, 50-49, Dean hit a three-pointer to put AMU up four with 3:43 to play. A few minutes later, Torres knocked down a pair of threes to extend the AMU lead to eight, 61-53. With 54 seconds remaining, Bonner put an exclamation point on the game with a thundering fast break dunk to secure the upset win for the Blue and Green.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court on Friday when they travel to NCAA DI Florida Gulf Coast University. The Gyrenes and Eagles are set to tip off at 7:05 p.m.