AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team (9-15, 2-11 TSC) will be playing three TSC games this week. They start things with back-to-back home contests beginning on Tuesday night when they host Florida Memorial. They follow that up with a Thursday night tip-off at home against Thomas (Ga.). On Saturday, the Gyrenes hit the road for an afternoon game against Southeastern University.
 
GYRENES RECAP
 
The Blue and Green ae coming off a 0-2 week in which they fell to both Embry-Riddle & Saint Thomas. The Gyrenes struggled to find their offensive rhythm against conference leader Embry-Riddle resulting in them falling 56-34. The Blue and Green defense was strong as usual holding the Eagles almost 20 points below their season average. 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.
 
Against Saint Thomas 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. The Gyrene Defense had another solid performance holding the Bobcats 18 Points below their season average. Wendell Powell led AMU with 18 points while Jelani Bonner recorded 11 rebounds.
 
GYRENE CATEGORY LEADERS
 
Points – Jelani Bonner, 13.2 PPG
Rebounds – Jelani Bonner, 8.52 RPG
Assists – Jelani Bonner, 36 Assists
Steals – Exor Torres, 35 Steals
Blocks – Nate Krimsky, 10 Blocks
 
SCOUTING FLORIDA MEMORIAL
 
The Lions of Florida Memorial enter the week with a 2-20 overall mark and a 1-12 record in conference play. The Lions were victorious in their last outing against Johnson & Wales 87-79. Florida Memorial comes in averaging just over 62 points per game on offense. #24 Samuel Dorismond is the leading point scorer for the Lions averaging just under 18 points per game. #42 Timothy Coleman controls the paint with 112 rebounds & 29 blocks on the season.
 
SCOUTING THOMAS UNIVERSITY
 
Thomas comes in with a 16-7 overall record and a 7-6 mark in Sun Conference action. The Night Hawks are riding a two game win streak with their last two victories against conference opponents Warner and Webber International University. The Night Hawks average 79 points per game. #21 Alan Love is their key player leading the team in points per game (17), Rebounds per game (6.5), and he also leads the team in blocks on the season with 8.
 
SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN UNVIERSITY
 
Southeastern has a 13-9 overall record and a 7-6 mark in in the Sun Conference.  The Fire won their last outing against Northwood 71-65. They average nearly 80 points per game on offense. #24 Andre Winston leads the charge for the Fire averaging 22 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, and 2 steals per game. #32 Timothy Mitchell controls the paint for the Fire averaging 14 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 2.7 blocks per game.
 
 
AMU HIGHLIGHTS AND NAIA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS (AS OF 2/9)
 
TEAM RANKINGS

• Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Scoring Defense per Game (56.542)
• Ranks Number 1 in Division II in Total Rebound Defense (27.042)
• Ranks Number 4 in Division II in Field Goal Pct Defense (0.392)
• Ranks Number 7 in Division II in 3-Pt Fg Pct Defense (0.306) 

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 19 in Division II in Defensive Rebounds per Game (6.043)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 20 in Division II in Total Rebounds per Game (8.522)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 29 in Division II in Total Total Rebounds (196)
• Jelani Bonner Ranks Number 48 in Division II in Field Goal Pct (0.514)