AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team lost a back-and-forth affair on New Year's Eve, dropping an 81-73 decision to the Buccaneers of the University of the Virgin Islands. Sunday afternoon's game featured five ties and 12 lead changes.

The first half was dominated by big runs from both teams. With the game tied at 13 less than nine minutes in, the Gyrenes went on an 11-0 run over a span of just over three minutes to take a 24-13 lead with 8:03 to play in the first half. UVI responded with a 24-3 run, capped by a Joseph Fogg dunk with 1:17 to play that put the Buccaneers up by ten, 37-27. Ave scored the final five points of the half to trail by five points entering the locker room.

In the second half, neither team led by more than five points until the closing moments of the contest. The Gyrenes held a 64-59 lead with 6:42 to play in the game, but were hit by a 8-2 run that gave the lead back to UVI. Two free throws from Gianpaolo Riccio gave Ave Maria a 71-69 lead with 2:39 left. However, UVI's Justin Syphoe hit back-to-back three pointers to give the Buccaneers the lead for good, and six free throws in the final 40 seconds clinched the victory for the visitors.

For the second night in a row, Gianpaolo Riccio led Ave Maria in scoring, logging 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. He also neared a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds. Nemanja Brankov added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jovan Grujicic scored 11 points. 

Four UVI players were in double figures, led by 17 points from Syphoe and Jonathan Harley. Anthony Goss and Jake Fay chipped in 13 points for the Buccaneers, who hit 8-of-18 three-pointers after starting the game 1-for-15.

Ave Maria returns to conference play on Thursday night against Sun Conference newcomer Coastal Georgia. The game is part of a women's-men's doubleheader, and is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff, depending on the ending of the women's game.