AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team continued their perfect start to the 2017-18 season with a Sun Conference victory on Tuesday night, pulling away from the Warner University Royals for a 67-46 victory at the Tom Golisano Field House. The victory gives the Gyrenes a 7-0 start to the season, building on the best season-opening run in program history.
 
Ave could not have asked for a better start to the game, roaring out to a 17-2 lead. The run featured 13 unanswered Gyrene points, and was keyed by Lauren Gillingham, who scored eight points in the first quarter. Warner closed the gap slightly, and AMU led 20-9 after a quarter.
 
Warner rallied in the second quarter, coming back to take a 28-27 lead with 3:05 to go in the quarter. The second quarter featured Warner going on a 19-5 run to go ahead for the first time in the game. A Gillingham three gave the Gyrenes a 30-28 lead heading into halftime.
 
After Warner stretched their lead to five points early in the third quarter, the Gyrenes took control of the contest. Ave ended the frame on an 18-5 run, turning a 35-30 deficit into an advantage of 48-40.  Amanda Kasprzak was critical in the run, hitting three jumpers in the final five minutes of the quarter.
 
The Gyrenes put the game away in the final quarter of play, securing their 7-0 start with a 19-6 advantage in the final quarter. Ave Maria's lead of 21 points was the biggest against a Warner team that had won five in a row against the Gyrenes, dating back to the 2014-15 season.
 
Emily Acosta had a career-best effort for the Gyrenes, scoring 18 points and knocking down four three-pointers. Gillingham continued her red-hot start with 13 points and 17 rebounds. The senior currently leads The Sun Conference in rebounds with 11.9 per game, and is one of eleven players in the nation to be averaging a double-double. Taylor Allen (11) and Kasprzak were also in double figures for AMU.
 
The 7-0 Gyrenes break for Thanksgiving, and return to the floor next Tuesday against Webber International University. The road tilt in Babson Park is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.?