DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team dropped a 64-54 decision at second-ranked Embry-Riddle on Saturday night. The Gyrenes fall to 7-8 on the season and the 0-4 in Sun Conference play.
 
Jelani Bonner and Brandon Barnes led the Blue and Green with 13 points apiece. Bonner added eight rebounds. Exor Torres added seven points and Brandon Pasker chipped in six points and seven boards.
 
The Gyrenes shot 42.2 percent from the floor compared to 50 percent by the Eagles. The Blue and Green turned the ball over 22 times compared to 14 by Embry-Riddle.
 
Dalton Barnes led the Eagles with 21 points. DeForest Carter added 10 points to go along with eight assists.
 
Embry-Riddle jumped out to a quick lead on the Blue and Green, making a three on their first possession followed by a steal and layup to take a 5-0 lead. The Gyrenes struggled to get things going in the first ten minutes of the game, falling behind by 18, 29-11.
 
At the 6:24 mark in the first half, Eric Richardson hit a three to bring the Gyrenes within 13, 31-28. The Blue and Green went into the half trailing 38-22.
 
AMU began to chip away at the Eagles lead early in the second half to cut the deficit down to 11 before going on a 9-0 run to pull within two, 49-47, with 8:28 remaining. The Eagles responded with a four-point run and then extended the lead back to double-figures, 62-51.
 
The Gyrenes return to the court on Thursday, January 15, when they return to Tom Golisano Field House for a matchup with Southeastern University. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m.