AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Ave Maria University Lady Gyrenes will play three conference games this week. The first game will be played Tuesday night at Northwood University in Palm Beach at 5:30 p.m. This is the first game in the home and away series. Last season; the Lady Gyrenes split with the Seawolves – each winning on the road. AMU was defeated 69-85 in the first meeting, and came back to beat the Seahawks 77-70 in the second game.
 
On Thursday evening, the Lady Gyrenes will take on Warner at Tom Golisano field house at 5:30 p.m. Last season, AMU defeated the Royals 81-68 and 83-53 in their two meetings in 2013-14.
 
On Saturday afternoon, the Lady Gyrenes will play Thomas University in Thomasville, G.a. at 1 p.m. Last season AMU defeated the Night Hawks 78 -56 in their first meeting and 100-76 in the second game.

GREEN AND BLUE NEWS
The Ave Maria women's basketball team went 0-2 last week against TSC opponents, and 1-2 overall. AMU defeated Clearwater Christian 74-31 for the second time this season in a non-conference game. The Lady Gyrenes lost a 52-70 contest to Southeastern in the first game and was defeated by Florida Memorial 55-66 on Saturday night. Annie Artise averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the three games. Madison McDonald had a standout game against Warner with 25 points, five assists, and three steals.

LADY GYRENES CATEGORY LEADERS
Madison McDonald – G, Sr. (16.2 ppg, 3.3 apg)
Annie Artise – G/F, Jr. (13.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
Yvanessa Vincent – F, Jr. (6.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
Ashlee Rioux– G, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 2.1 apg)

SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS
Head coach Courtney McDaniel is in her second season at Northwood The Seahawks are currently 3-11 overall, 2-3 in TSC play. Last week they were defeated by conference frontrunner Webber 66-69. They defeated Warner 64-58 to finish out the week. Stephanie Granado is averaging 11.64 ppg and 4.07 apg while Chanel Brooks is averaging 6.5 rpg to lead the Seahawks.
 

SCOUTING THE ROYALS
The Royals are currently 5-9; 1-4 TSC so far this season under head coach John Dunlap. 2014-15 marks the inaugural season for the Eagles and their lone season in TSC. Last week, the Royals went 0-2 losing to Florida Memorial 56-64, and Northwood 58-63. Baylie Bridges is currently averaging 9.2 ppg; while Lelani Tuani Fifata is averaging 5.69 rpg. Currently, Warner is nationally ranked:

• Number 25 in Division II in Blocks per Game (3.929)
• Number 28 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.361)
• Number 37 in Division II in Turnover Margin (2.286) Number 25 in Division II in Scoring Offense per Game (76.067)
• Number 29 in Division II in Scoring Margin (10.467)

 
SCOUTING THE NIGHT HAWKS
Thomas is looking to improve on their 2013-14 TSC record of 5-11. Currently, the Nighthawks are 9-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Head coach Coretta Brown's club is led by leading scorer Courtney Saunds who is averaging 19 ppg, 2.29 asp, and 2.86 steals per game. Currently, Thomas is national ranked:

• Number 7 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (31.357)
• Number 10 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (46.286)
• Number 13 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.269)
• Number 15 in Division II in Steals per Game (11.857)
• Number 19 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.349)
• Number 21 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (6.643)
• Number 22 in Division II in Offensive Rebounds per Game (14.929)
• Number 32 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (62.286)

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS
 
Milestones:
 
Artise scored her 1,000 point last Thursday night against Southeastern. She has scored 1,013 points in her career. She is the fifth Lady Gyrene to score 1,000 points in the seven year history of the program.
 
McDonald is 48 points shy of 1,000 points scored in her career (952 total points). McDonald played her first two seasons at LaGrange College where she scored 385 for the Panthers.

Ave Maria University currently Ranks:

• Number 8 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (34.000)
• Number 19 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Made per Game (7.444)
• Number 24 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (60.722)
• Number 25 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (5.778)
• Number 26 in Division II in Total 3-Pt FG Made (134)
• Number 30 in Division II in Blocks per Game (3.500)
• Number 33 in Division II in Scoring Margin (9.278)
• Number 34 in Division II in Offensive Rebounds per Game (14.222)
• Number 35 in Division II in Total Blocks (63)
• Number 38 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.294)
• Number 39 in Division II in Free Throw Pct (0.704)
• Number 48 in Division II in Assists per Game (14.333)

    Ave Maria Individual Rankings:
 
McDonald

•  Ranks Number 50 in Division II in Total Scoring (292) 

Vincent

• Ranks Number 34 in Division II in Offensive Rebounds per Game (3.44)

 Wagner

• Ranks Number 45 in Division II in Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.800)

 
Statistics as of 01/19/15