AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team (11-16, 4-12 TSC) will be playing their final two games of the regular season this week. Both games will be TSC matchups. They start things off in their final home game of the season when they host Northwood on Thursday. The Gyrenes' will be honoring their two seniors prior to tip off. The Blue and Green then hit the road for their final game of the regular season when travel to Lake Wales for a Saturday afternoon matchup with Warner.
GYRENES RECAP The Blue and Green are coming off a 2-1 week in which they defeated both Florida Memorial and Thomas (Ga.) before falling to Southeastern University.
The Blue & Green snapped a four-game skid on Tuesday night when they defeated Florida Memorial, 72-54. The Blue and Green used a big second half, 42 points, to break open a three point game at the half. Needing 17 points to eclipse 1,000 points in his career, Wendell Powell made 8-of-12 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line for a game high 25 points. Powell becomes the fourth Gyrene to surpass the career point milestone. Brandon Dean also had a solid night, making 4-of-6 from behind the arc en route to 16 points. Jelani Bonner recorded another double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Against Thomas (Ga.), the Gyrenes survived a second-half rally by the visiting Night Hawks to come away with an 83-77 win. Brandon Dean hit six treys en route to a career-high 24 points to lead the way for the Blue and Green. Dean made his first three attempts from behind the arc and scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half. Five of his six threes came in the opening stanza. He also grabbed five rebounds. Wendell Powell and Exor Torres each came away with 17 points. Powell added seven boards while Torres was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
Against Southeastern the Gyrenes dropped a 58-54 decision. The Gyrenes trailed by six at the break and rallied to within one in the second half before a late three by the Fire put the game away. Wendell Powell led AMU with 12 points and seven rebounds. Jelani Bonner also scored in double-figures with 11 points and five rebounds.
GYRENE CATEGORY LEADERS Points – Jelani Bonner, 12.96 PPG
Rebounds – Jelani Bonner, 8.50 RPG
Assists – Jelani Bonner, 42 Assists
Steals – Exor Torres, 38 Steals
Blocks – Nate Krimsky, 11 Blocks
SCOUTING NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY The Seahawks of Northwood University enter the week with a 15-11 overall mark and a 7-8 record in conference play. The Seahawks were victorious in their last outing against Webber International, 66-64. Northwood comes in averaging just over 72 points per game on offense. Chris Solomon is the leading point scorer for the Seahawks averaging just under 15 points per game. Fred Mattison controls the paint with 241 rebounds (9.64 per game) and 29 blocks on the season.
SCOUTING WARNER UNIVERSITY Warner comes in with a 17-8 overall record and a 7-8 mark in Sun Conference action. The Royals lost their last outing at Florida Memorial 72-66. Warner comes in averaging 77 points per game on offense. Warren Hall is their leading scorer averaging just under 20 points per game. Look for Keevis Tukes to be an impact player on both ends of the court as he leads the team both assists (78) and steals (48).
AMU HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS (AS OF 2/9) TEAM RANKINGS - Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (26.259)
- Ranks Number 2 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (57.259)
- Ranks Number 21 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.324)
- Ranks Number 7 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.306)
- Ranks Number 50 in Division II in Total Rebound Margin (3.630)
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS - Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 20 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (8.500)
- Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 21 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (6.115)
- Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 24 in Division II in Total Rebounds (221)
- Brandon Dean Ranks Number 45 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.426)
- Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 49 in Division II in Field Goal Pct (0.513)
