WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team nearly rallied from a 11-point fourth quarter deficit, but fell in a neutral site matchup to Cardinal Stritch University 72-63 at Keiser University on Friday afternoon. Both teams entered the game receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll.
A high-scoring first quarter saw the Gyrenes jump out to a 7-2 lead in the opening two minutes, capped off by a three-pointer from Macarena Corral. A pair of runs helped the Wolves take the lead in the opening frame, as Cardinal Stritch went on a 6-0 run to take an 8-7 lead, and closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to hold a 21-16 lead after the opening ten minutes.
Cardinal Stritch continued to stretch their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Gyrenes 13-5 in the first five minutes of the frame to increase their lead to 34-21. Ave Maria responded with a surge in the closing five minutes, going on a 12-1 run to trail by just two points at halftime.
Five consecutive points from Katie Houbolt gave the Gyrenes a two-point lead less than two minutes into the third quarter, but another run from the Wolves swung momentum back to Stritch. Nine straight points allowed CSU to turn a 41-39 deficit into a 48-41 lead, and the Wolves held a 54-48 lead entering the final frame.
The Wolves increased their lead to eleven points, 61-50, with 8:18 to play in the contest. The Gyrenes came storming back, and trailed by just two, 63-61, with 3:59 remaining. Jasmine Bateman's and-one that cut the lead to two proved to be Ave Maria's final field goal of the afternoon, as an ensuing 6-0 run put the game out of reach for the Wolves.
Three Gyrenes were in double figures, led by a 14-point effort from Lauren Gillingham. Houbolt added 13 points, and Bateman chipped in 12.Â
Kelli Schrauth was the game's leading scorer, pacing Cardinal Stritch with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Maranda Huibregtse had 18 points and seven rebounds in the win for the Wolves.
Ave Maria plays a second game on the Keiser University campus on Saturday, taking on Bethel College from Indiana. Tipoff in West Palm Beach is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
