MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team came up just short at St. Thomas on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Bobcats 56-52. Wendell Powell led AMU with 18 points while Jelani Bonner recorded 11 rebounds.
 
The Gyrenes return to action on Tuesday night when they host Florida Memorial at 7:30 p.m.
 
The Blue and Green shot 48.8 percent (21-of-43) from the field compared to 38 percent (19-of-50) by the Bobcats. Both teams made five from behind the arc but St. Thomas made eight more, 13-5, from the free throw line.
 
Powell recorded seven boards to go with his 18 points. Brandon Dean finished with seven points and four rebounds. Julian Adams also added seven points for the Blue and Green.
 
The Gyrenes jumped out to an early 8-2 lead after making four of their first five shots. AMU maintained a slim lead for most of the half, with the lead growing to eight on a layup by Powell with 4:42 to play in the half. A late Bobcat run made the score 28-26 at the break in favor of St. Thomas.
 
Early in the second half, St. Thomas took its first lead of the game, 34-32, at the 17:35 mark. AMU tied the game four times down the stretch but weren't able to take a lead, eventually falling 56-52.