AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria women's basketball team fell in their home and conference opener on Thursday night, losing 88-62 to the Southeastern University Fire, who received votes in the NAIA Division II preseason poll.
 
Ave Maria played nearly even with the Fire in the first quarter, trailing just 17-16 after the first ten minutes of play. Southeastern broke the game open midway through the second period, outscoring the Gyrenes 29-11 in the final 10 minutes of the first half.
 
The 19-point halftime lead held in the second half, where the Fire shot 50 percent from the field. The fourth quarter was similar to the first, as the Fire only outscore Ave Maria by a single point.
 
Lauren Gillingham was the standout Gyrene in the Sun Conference opener, scoring a game high 19 points and pulling down seven rebounds.

The junior made a team-high three three-pointers, and knocked down all six of her free throws. The only other Gyrene in double figures was Jasmine Bateman, who recorded ten points. Sarah Miller was a force on the glass, collecting 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. Ave Maria outshot Southeastern from behind the arc, hitting nine threes to the Fire's eight.
 
Southeastern had three starters with more than ten points, and were led by reigning Sun Conference Player of the Year Christin Strawbridge. Strawbridge recorded a double-double with 16 points and
10 rebounds. Bailey Hooker had 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Fire, while Alyssa Ramos added 15 points.
 
The Gyrenes continue Sun Conference play on Saturday afternoon, heading north for a battle with the Night Hawks of Thomas University.
The game, in Thomasville, Ga., is set for a 4 p.m. tipoff.