AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Ave Maria University Lady Gyrenes will play one conference game against Johnson & Wales December 10 at Tom Golisano FH. Ave Maria split the regular season series and defeated the Warriors in the championship game of the Sun Conference tournament 70-69. This is the last game for the Lady Gyrenes until after the holidays. They will return to the court December 29 when they will take on Saint Catherine's College (Ky.)

GREEN AND BLUE NEWS:
The Lady Gyrenes went 2-1; 0-1 in Conference play last week. They also played Palm Beach Atlantic in an exhibition game.
            The Ave Maria women's basketball team fell to Sun Conference rival Webber International University, 65-46. Madison McDonald led AMU with 19 points and recorded three steals in the loss. Taylor Lindsey added seven points and a team-high four steals for the Lady Gyrenes. AMU was able to keep with Webber early on in the game as there were six lead changes in the first half. The Warriors kept the Lady Gyrenes from scoring for over five minutes, and went on a 10-1 scoring run to head into half time with a 12 point lead. The Warriors were able to capitalize off of the Lady Gyrenes 25 turnovers scoring 24 points in transition.
            In the second game of the week, AMU team fell to NCAA Division II Palm Beach Atlantic, 62-55, in an exhibition game on Wednesday evening at the Tom Golisano FH. McDonald led AMU with 16 points and recorded three steals in the loss. Taylor Lindsey, in her first career start, added 14 points, four assists, and three steals while Artise chipped in with 14 points of her own. Early in the first half, the Blue and Green went on a 6-0 run. Sailfish battled their way back and led by three with just over four minutes left in the half before Artise responded with a three to swing the momentum in the Lady Gyrenes favor. Lindsey hit another field goal from behind the arc to put AMU up by seven heading into the half. Midway through the second half the score was tied at 37. The Sailfish started to break away from the Gyrenes as time wound down. With 6:35 left to play PBA was able to push their lead to 10.
            AMU defeated Trinity Baptist College, 78-32 in a non-conference game on Friday night. McDonald led AMU with 13 points, four assists and two steals. Lauren Gillingham scored a career high 13 points, and had seven rebounds in the win. 12 players scored for the Gyrenes in this lop-sided victory, as the bench contributed 40 points. AMU scored the first 21 points of the game, before Trinity Baptist chipped in a free throw with 9:38 in the half. By dominating the boards 33-15, the Lady Gyrenes were able to force the Eagles to 14 first half turnovers. The lopsided first half score of 43-9 proved to be too much for the Eagles to overcome.
            In the second game against Trinity Baptist College, 16 members of the team saw action on the court as AMU had another balanced scoring attack.  Lindsey led the way with 10 points. McDonald contributed nine points and four assists. Artise chipped in 9 points and seven rebounds. The bench scored 40 points for the second consecutive game. The Eagles came out strong to start the game and the score was tied 18-18 with 10 minutes to go. The Green and Blue scored 28 points in the next 10 minutes, to Trinity Baptists' five to go into the locker room with a 22 point lead. The shutdown defense of the Lady Gyrenes forced 10 second half turnovers and a 12 percent shooting percentage for the Eagles. They also dominated the boards 61-21.

The Blue and Green are currently 6-4 (0-1 TSC) on the season.

LADY GYRENES CATEGORY LEADERS
Madison McDonald – G, Sr. (15.6ppg, 3.8 apg)
Annie Artise – G/F, Jr. (14.1, 7.3 rpg)
Ashlee Rioux– G, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 2.1 apg)
Yvanessa Vincent – F, Jr. (6.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The Wildcats are currently 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in TSC action losing to Northwood University 68-88.
Head Coach, Kymberly Hope is in her third season at Johnson & Wales University and has compiled a record of 7-17 overall and 4-12 in TSC play in the 2013-14 season.Kristina Bridges is averaging 15.8 ppg eight rpg, and three apg for the Wildcats. Kwannita Janivier is averaging 12 ppg and eight rpg.
The Lady Gyrenes played the Wildcats three times last season going 2-1. The first game was an 86-70 win. The Wildcats took the second regular season game 78-74 in North Miami. The third game played was a first round game in TSC championships. AMU won that game 72-54.

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS
Ave Maria University currently Ranks:

• Number 8 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (10.900)
• Number 10 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (33.700)
• Number 14 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (8.000)
• Number 16 in Division II in Offensive Rebounds per Game (16.200)
• Number 20 in Division II in Total 3-Pt FG Made (80)
• Number 22 in Division II in Scoring Margin (14.900)
• Number 22 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (58.100)
• Number 25 in Division II in Total Blocks (34)
• Number 29 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (44.600)
• Number 30 in Division II in Blocks per Game (3.400)
• Number 35 in Division II in Assists per Game (15.200)
• Number 37 in Division II in Total Assists (152)

    Ave Maria Individual Rankings:
Rioux

• Ranks Number 14 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.444)
• Ranks Number 49 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (2.222)

Artise

• Ranks Number 17 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.442)
• Ranks Number 50 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (5.600)

Wagner

• Ranks Number 26 in Division II in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.333)

 
 
 Statistics as of 12/08/14