BOSTON, Mass. --- The Ave Maria women's basketball team opened their three-game weekend in Boston with a win on Thursday night, defeating NCAA DIII Emerson College 59-42. The Lady Gyrenes improve to 3-1 on the season.
 
Lauren Gillingham led the Blue and Green with 11 points, five assists, and 20 rebounds, including 15 boards on the defensive end. The 20 rebounds is the fourth most in AMU history and is the most by a Lady Gyrene since Annie Artise collected 22 rebounds on Jan. 16, 2014 against Thomas. Gillingham was just four rebounds shy of tying Saira Morgan's AMU record of 24 rebounds set back on Feb. 21, 2009 against Trinity Baptist College.
 
Taylor Lindsey led Ave in scoring with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting. She also collected seven rebounds. Yvanessa Vincent finished with 11 points and eight rebounds on the night while Artise also finished in double-figures with 11 points. Jasmine Bateman totaled six points, six rebounds, and a game-high four steals for AMU.
 
Charlie Boyle led the Lions with 10 points. Kelsey Johnson had nine points and five rebounds on the night.
 
As a team, Ave shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the field while their defense held Emerson to 24.6 percent (15-of-61) shooting. AMU held a 51-22 advantage on the glass.
 
The Lady Gyrenes came out firing and made over 40 percent of their shots over the first two quarters of play to take a 30-23 lead into halftime. Despite making just 3-of-12 from the field in the third quarter, AMU made nine of their 13 free throw attempts and played solid defense, holding Emerson to just eight points, to extend their lead to 15, 46-21. The Lady Gyrenes were able to get some shots to drop in the fourth and continued to play tough defense to help put away Emerson.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court tomorrow night when they take on Fisher College (Mass.) at 7 p.m.