BOCA RATON, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team finished up a slate of three consecutive exhibition games with a loss to the NCAA Division I Florida Atlantic University Owls on Tuesday in Boca Raton. The Owls, who were coming off three games in Southwest Florida at the Gulf Coast Showcase, toppled the Gyrenes 91-54 at FAU Arena.

In the first half, the Gyrenes played even with their Division I competition. Ave Maria evened grabbed a lead of five points, 27-22, over the Owls. The lead was a result of a 18-4 run, capped off by five consecutive points from Greenan Sullivan. FAU scored the next nine points to retake the lead, but the Gyrenes still trailed by only two at the half. 

Florida Atlantic took control of the contest in the second half, outscoring the Gyrenes 60-25 to pull away. Ave Maria trailed by just two points three minutes into the second half, after which FAU went on a 50-11 to ensure the home victory in the exhibition contest.

Ave Maria was kept in the contest for the first 23 minutes of action by knocking down nine three-pointers. FAU shot 55.9 percent from the field in the win.

The lone Gyrene in double figures was Josh Flowers, who scored 18 points. Nemanja Brankov nearly added a double-double to his season total, scoring nine points and pulling down eight rebounds. Jonathan Simmons also had nine points for AMU, and Jovan Grujicic added eight.

For FAU, Justin Massey led all scorers with 24 points, and Ronald Delph chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Gyrenes will return to NAIA play on Thursday night, when AMU faces Keiser University in West Palm Beach. The Seahawks are currently receiving votes in the Division II national poll. Tipoff at Keiser is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.