WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game at NCAA DII Palm Beach Atlantic, 77-60, on Friday night. AMU trailed by seven, 38-31, at the half before PBA was able to extend their lead over the final 20 minutes.
 
Brandon Dean led the Gyrenes with 23 points and nine rebounds. Martez Harris added 17 points and three steals. Exor Torres also finish with double-digit points with 11 in the game. He also had four rebounds and three assists.
 
Lucas Morales led Palm Beach Atlantic with 19 points and 15 rebounds. He also had three blocks. Three other Sailfish finished in double figures.
 
The Blue and Green shot 34 percent from the field and were just 5-of-24 from behind the arc. They made 11-of-15 from the free throw line. PBA made 26-of-61 (42.6 percent) from the field and shot 26.7 percent from the three. They shot just 51.2 percent (21-of-44) from the charity stripe. PBA outrebounded AMU 51-31. AMU committed eight fewer turnovers (25-17) than the Sailfish.
 
The teams went back-and-forth in the opening minutes before a three by Martez Harris gave AMU a 14-13 advantage with 12:28 to play in the half. With Ave Maria leading 16-14, Palm Beach Atlantic 14-0 run to take a 26-16 lead on the Blue and Green at the 7:18 mark in the first half. The Gyrenes collected themselves and were able to cut the deficit to seven, 38-31, at the break.
 
PBA pushed their advantage to double-digits over the first few minutes of the second hald and were able to maintain a 10-15 point lead for most of the second half. Despite struggling from the free throw line for most of the game, the Sailfish made five of their final six from the charity stripe to put away AMU.
 
The Gyrenes return to the court tomorrow night when they take on NCAA DII Lynn University at 7:30 p.m. in Boca Raton.