AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team will conclude its non-conference schedule on Monday night when they welcome Florida National to Tom Golisano Field House. The contest is set to begin at 7 p.m.
 
GYRENES RECAP
 
The Blue and Green come into the week with a 7-5 overall record and a 0-2 mark in conference play. Last week, the Gyrenes took down 15th-ranked Saint Xavier University (Ill.), 67-61, before falling on the road in an exhibition match at NCAA DI Florida Gulf Coast University, 49-36.
 
Against No. 15 St. Xavier, Jelani Bonner scored a career-high 33 points to propel the the Gyrenes to the upset win. Bonner made 15-of-20 from the field and 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.
 
In their contest at FGCU, the Blue and Green held their NCAA DI opponent to 12 first half points and held a 13-12 halftime lead before FGCU came from behind to defeat AMU 49-36. Torres finished with a team-high 12 points. Bonner also finished in double figures with 11 points and grabbed a team-best five rebounds.
 
The AMU defense held FGCU to 21.1 percent shooting in the first half before the Eagles shot 77.3 percent in the second half to finish the game shooting at a 51.2 percent clip. The 12 first half points for the Eagles was the second lowest scored in FGCU program history.
 
GYRENE CATEGORY LEADERS
 
Points – Jelani Bonner, 14.4 PPG
Rebounds – Jelani Bonner, 87 RPG
Assists – Nate Krimsky, 21 Assists
Steals – Exor Torres, 19 Steals
Blocks – Nate Krimsky, 7 Blocks
 
SCOUTING FLORIDA NATIONAL
 
Florida National, a member of the USCAA, comes into Monday night's contest with a 7-10 overall record. The Conquistadors have already played several games against Sun Conference members. FNU has loses to Warner (twice), St. Thomas, Northwood (twice), and Southeastern. Florida National has also defeated Webber International (twice) and Southeastern.
 
The Conquistadors are led by junior Regan O'Rourke. The guard has averaged 13.9 points per game to go along with four rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. John Hogan is scoring at a 13.5 point per game pace and is grabbing a team-best 9.1.
 
AMU HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS (AS OF 1/4)
 
TEAM RANKINGS
 

• Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (54.833)
• Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (26.333)
• Ranks Number 2 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.362)
• Ranks Number 22 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.313)
• Ranks Number 24 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (6.500)
• Ranks Number 37 in Division II in Free Throw Pct (0.716)
• Ranks Number 44 in Division II in Scoring Margin (7.917)

 
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
 

• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 22 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (6.083)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 23 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (8.667)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 24 in Division II in Field Goal Pct (0.571)