MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. --- The Ave Maria women's basketball team fell to the 10th-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ill.), 81-54, to conclude the Athlete Meals Classic hosted by St. Thomas University on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Lady Gyrenes were led by Annie Artise who tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Taylor Lindsey had 13 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Lauren Gillingham also finished in double-figures for AMU with 11 points while also collecting seven rebounds and five assists.
 
Ave Mara shot 36 percent from the field but were 6-of-22 from behind the arc. Saint Francis shot 47 percent on the afternoon and were 6-of-15 from three. USF held a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint.
 
Saint Francis was led by Charnelle Reed who finished with a game-high 25 points. Kamari Jordan and Jordan Giddlings each tallied 14 points for USF.
 
The Lady Gyrenes kept with the 10th-ranked team in the NAIA early in the opening quarter, trailing by two, 13-11, with 4:28 to play after a three by Saje Schlatterer. A 9-2 run by Saint Francis on the final few minutes of the quarter helped USF to a 22-15 first quarter advantage.
 
With AMU trailing by four, 25-21, a quick 7-0 burst by Saint Francis midway through the second quarter put the Lady Gyrenes behind by 11 with 3:50 to play in the half. USF would take a 37-24 lead in the break.
 
The Lady Gyrenes weren't able to close the gap in the second half as USF outscored AMU 24-18 in the third quarter and 20-12 in the fourth en route to the 81-54 victory.
 
Ave Maria will resume conference play on Jan. 7 when they travel to Babson Park to take on Webber International at 6 p.m.