AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria Gyrenes men's basketball team fell to the second-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles, 56-34, on Wednesday night. The Blue and Green drop to 9-14 overall and to 2-10 in TSC play.
 
Jelani Bonner led the Gyrenes with 10 points and six rebounds. Wendell Powell added nine points and Johnny Minervino chipped in eight points to go along with five rebounds.
 
The Gyrenes shot 35.9 percent from the floor compared to 38.6 percent by the Eagles but took 18 less shot attempts than Embry-Riddle. The Gyrenes were 2-of-11 from behind the arc.
 
Cesar Pastrana and Joseph Gonzalez led the Eagles with 14 points apiece. Pastrana also grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double.
 
The Gyrenes fell behind early, 15-5, but stayed within striking distance of Embry-Riddle for much of the first half, cutting the Embry-Riddle lead down to four on multiple occasions. The Blue and Green went into the break, trailing by nine, 28-19.
 
In the second half, the Eagles quickly pushed the lead to double-figures and then to 20 midway through the half. The Eagles went on to defeat the Gyrenes 56-34.
 
The Blue and Green return to the court on Saturday when they travel to Miami Gardens to take on St. Thomas University in a TSC matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.