AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to have a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but fell just short in a 69-66 loss to Florida National University at the Tom Golisano Field House. 

The lead shifted multiple times between the Gyrenes and the Conquistadors in the first half. Florida National built a 29-22 lead, but it was Ave Maria that claimed a halftime lead thanks to a half-closing 12-0 run. The run was keyed by Nemanja Brankov, who scored six of the 12 points to give AMU a 34-29 lead after the first 20 minutes. 

Ave Maria extended its lead to eight points early in the second half, but the Conquistadors were able to take control of the game in the middle portion of the second half. Florida National went on a 15-1 run to extend a 47-46 lead into a 62-47 advantage with 8:24 to play in the contest.

Down 64-50 with 6:07 to play, the Gyrenes would mount a comeback to have a chance to tie it in the closing moments. Ave Maria closed the game on a 16-5 run, and two missed free throws from FNU with five seconds left gave AMU a chance to tie the game. However, a shot that likely came just after the buzzer sounded was blocked, sealing the win for the visiting Conquistadors.

Ave Maria was hurt by turnovers in the narrow loss, giving the ball away 20 times, which led to 20 Florida National points. FNU also outscored the Gyrenes 30-21 in the paint.

The Gyrenes were led by Brankov, who scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds.  Brankov connected on five of his eight field goal attempts, including a three-pointer. Jovan Grujicic nearly recorded a double-double in the first home game of his Gyrene career, scoring nine points and logging nine rebounds. Greenan Sullivan and Josh Flowers also scored nine points each in the losing effort.

For Florida National, Christopher Hall and Jose Benitez were the high scorers with 13 points apiece. Terence Johnson had a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds.

AMU plays their second home game of the season on Saturday afternoon, welcoming the Eagles of Trinity Baptist College to the Tom Golisano Field House. The Gyrenes will look for the first victory of the 2017-2018 season, with tipoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.