BOCA RATON, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team played even for the final three quarters with NCAA opponent Lynn University on Sunday afternoon, but a 17-7 first quarter proved to be the difference in a 65-55 exhibtion victory for the Fighting Knights in Boca Raton.

Lynn outscored the Gyrenes 17-7 in the opening quarter, and opened up a 32-13 lead in the opening three minutes of the second frame. The Gyrenes closed the second quarter on a 14-4 run, keyed by eight made free throws - four each from Katie Houbolt and Danielle Weinmann.

Ave Maria again found themselves down 17 points early in the third quarter, but were able to battled back to within seven with a 10-0 run. Lynn scored the final five points of the frame to give the Fighting Knights a 49-37 lead at the end of the third.

The Gyrenes got as close as three points in the fourth quarter, as a jumper from Sarah Miller capped an 11-2 run in the first 4:33 of the frame to pull the Gyrenes within 51-48 with 5:27 to play. Ave was not able to get any closer, as the free throw shooting from Lynn sealed the victory for the hosts despite a valiant effort from AMU. Lynn made 19 of their 25 free throw attempts on Sunday afternoon. 

Miller and Houbolt were Ave Maria's leading scorers in the exhibition contest, with each Gyrene scored 14 points. Miller recorded a double-double, adding 11 rebounds to her total. One day after recording her 1,000th career point, Lauren Gillingham scored nine points against the Fighting Knights. Ave Maria posted an excellent game defensively, holding Lynn to just 29.2 percent shooting from the field, and 20 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Lynn's leading scorer was Paola Vazquez Concepcion, who scored 18 points.

After playing three games in as many days, the Gyrenes take nearly two weeks before taking the floor again. The next game on the schedule is slated for November 11, when AMU plays another NCAA Division II opponent in Flagler College. Ave's game with the Saints in St. Augustine is set for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.