BABSON PARK, Fla. --- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team picked up a key conference win on Saturday afternoon, topping the Webber Warriors, 75-68, in Babson Park. The win moved the Gyrenes to 6-6 in Sun Conference play, and kept AMU in fifth place in the league.
Ave Maria started fast against the host Warriors, racing out to a 17-6 lead in the opening 7:30. Five different Gyrenes scored in the opening frame, led by six points from Lauren Gillingham. Webber closed to gap to seven, 19-12, entering the second quarter.
The second quarter saw Ave Maria extend the lead to 14 points in the first two minutes of the frame, as an Erin Koehler jumper gave the Gyrenes a 26-12 lead with 8:09 to go in the half. However, the final eight minutes of the half would be dominated by the Warriors. Webber went on a 19-4 run to close the half, a run that saw the Gyrenes go without a field goal. Webber's surge gave the Warriors a 31-30 lead heading into the locker room.
A Macarena Corral three-pointer opened the second half scoring, and gave Ave Maria a lead that would never swing back to the Warriors. A quick 6-0 run to start the half put Ave Maria ahead by five, which would be the largest margin in the third quarter. Ave Maria led by two, 46-44, after the third quarter.
The Gyrenes pulled away from Webber in the fourth quarter, taking control of the contest in the final five minutes. Ave extended a 59-56 lead with 5:21 to play out to a 67-58 advantage with 2:39 to play. The game-sealing 8-2 run was keyed by Sarah Miller, who scored six of Ave Maria's eight points.
Mallory Burton led the Gyrenes offensively in the victory, ringing up 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Lauren Gillingham added 18 points, and was characteristically automatic from the free-throw line, making all seven of her attempts. Sarah Miller collected ten points and eight rebounds, while freshmen Macarena Corral and Emily Acosta combined for 17 points. Corral also had five rebounds and five steals.
Webber was paced by Quanthavia Stalworth, who scored 15 points. Joi Wright was the other Warrior in double figures, scoring ten points. Webber's scoring was distributed among ten Warriors, who each scored at least three points.
Coach Bob Batson and the Gyrenes will get a rare full week to prepare for their next contest, a home date with the Warner Royals. Ave Maria and Warner tip off next Saturday at the Tom Golisano Field House at 2 p.m. for the penultimate home game of the regular season for Ave Maria.
