NORTH MIAMI, Fla. --- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team claimed their first Sun Conference triumph of the season, knocking off Johnson and Wales University 78-74 in North Miami on
Thursday night. A 41-27 margin in the game's middle quarters proved to be critical for the Gyrenes, who moved to 3-4 overall.

Ave Maria trailed by ten points early in the second quarter, but a 24-14 run tied the game at halftime. The third quarter proved to be even more fruitful for the Gyrenes, who took a seven point lead to the fourth quarter. AMU started the third frame on an 8-0 run, which was capped off by a three from Katie Houbolt. Ave also scored the final five points of the quarter.

Johnson and Wales would rally from an eleven-point fourth quarter deficit, cutting the AMU lead to 70-69 with 2:13 on the clock. Ave, however, sealed the victory with six straight points on two Jasmine Bateman scores in the paint and a pair of free throws from Lauren Gillingham.

Gillingham's 23 points led Ave Maria offensively, while Jasmine Bateman added 18 of her own. Gillingham, who also had seven rebounds and five assists, played all 40 minutes for the Gyrenes. Freshman Sarah Miller put together the best game of her young collegiate career, posting a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. Ave Maria outrebounded Johnson and Wales 53-34, including 17-11 in the offensive rebounding category.

Bevin Davis scored 26 points for the Wildcats, and Diamond Williams posted a double-double of her own with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The Gyrenes return to the Tom Golisano Field House on Saturday afternoon, as the leadoff of a men's and women's doubleheader. The Gyrenes battle St. Thomas University as the second game of four in a six-day span. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in Ave Maria.