MIAMI, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team was tied with Florida International at the half but were outscored by the Panthers 57-40 in the second, eventually falling 89-72 in the exhibition contest.
 
Deonte' Dixon led four Gyrenes in double-figures with 19 points. Romello Bates added 18 points with eight rebounds and eight assists. Malik Mayeux had 13 points while Exor Torres added 12 points for the Blue and Green.
 
Ave Maria shot 44.4 percent from the field with seven threes on the night. FIU shot at a 58.6 percent clip and were 12-of-23 from behind the arc.
 
Ave Maria and Florida International went back and forth in the opening half. The Gyrenes held their largest lead of the game, four points, early in the half after a jumper by Mayeux. Tied at 18 with 7:25 to play in the half, Dixon hit a three to give AMU a slight edge. After a Ryan Maniaci three gave the Gyrenes a 32-29 lead, FIU tied the game with a three of their own just before the half.
 
With FIU leading 47-45, the Panthers went on an 11-2 run to take a 58-47 advantage on the Gyrenes. FIU shot 68.8 percent in the second half and made seven threes to maintain the double-digit lead on Ave Maria.
 
Donte McGill led FIU with 23 points followed by Elmo Stephen with 20 points.
 
The Gyrenes return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 29 when they travel to FGCU for an exhibition game at 7 p.m.