WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team remained unbeaten on Thursday night, rallying from an 11-point first half deficit to defeat the Keiser University Seahawks, 62-51, at Massimino Court. The Gyrenes, who are receiving votes in the newest NAIA national poll, are 9-0 for the first time in school history.

The Gyrenes trailed for all but two and a half minutes of the first half, which saw Keiser open up a 27-16 lead with 6:14 to go in the second quarter. A three-pointer from Katie Houbolt got Ave Maria within two in the second quarter, capping off a 13-2 run for the Gyrenes, who trailed by four at halftime.

Ave Maria took control of the contest in the third quarter, outscoring the Seahawks by a 15-2 margin. The Gyrenes did not surrender a field goal in the third quarter, and took the lead for good on a Lauren Gillingham layup with 7:20 to play in the frame. AMU ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 42-33 lead into the final ten minutes of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks pulled to within four with 6:06 to play, but were put away by another run from the Gyrenes. In just over two minutes, Ave scored six straight points to all but ensure the win. Gillingham scored four of the six, part of her game-high 22 points. 

Gillingham added eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals to her 22 points, leading the Gyrenes in all four categories. Sarah Miller provided eleven points and five rebounds, while Jasmine Bateman scored eight points coming off the bench. 

Defensively, the Gyrenes did not surrender a three-pointer to the Seahawks, who shot just 22.7 percent from the field in the second half. Ave Maria converted 18 Keiser turnovers in 22 points. Keiser's Ja'nea Davis was the team's leading scorer, adding 15 points and nine rebounds to the team totals. 

The 9-0 Gyrenes, who are also off to a 3-0 start in Sun Conference play, look for a tenth consecutive win on Saturday, when Johnson and Wales University comes to town. The Gyrenes swept the season series with the Wildcats a season ago, and will be Johnson and Wales' second trip to Ave Maria after two neutral site games at the beginning of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Tom Golisano Field House.