AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team was unable to begin the New Year with the upset, falling to top-ranked University of Pikeville (NAIA DI), 75-58, on Monday afternoon. Brandon Dean led three Gyrenes in double-figures with 14 points.
 
Dean also tied for the team-high with five rebounds. Exor Torres added 12 points to go along with four assists. Nate Krimsky had 10 points and four boards. Julian Adams finished with eight points and five rebounds.
 
Jackson Hussey paced the Bears with 22 points and six rebounds. Colt Chapman (15) and K.K. Simmons (14) also finished in double-figures for Pikeville.
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the field with UPike holding a slim advantage, 45 percent to 42 percent. Pikeville made eight threes on the afternoon compared to seven by AMU. The Bears finished with a 40-26 edge in points in the paint. The Blue and Green were outrebounded 36-23.
 
Ave Maria hung with the top-ranked Bears in the early going, trailing by four, 17-13, at the 11:44 mark in the first half. Midway through the half, Pikeville used a 14-4 run to take a 31-17 lead on the Blue and Green. Ave Maria went into the half trailing by 15, 41-26.
 
The Gyrenes were able to stay within striking distance for most of the second half, trailing by as few as 11 with 5:50 to play but weren't able to get any closer. Pikeville went on to win 75-58.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court on Thursday night when they resume conference play against the Warriors of Webber International. The game is slated to tip at 7 p.m.