MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team could not overcome 20 turnovers, and lost a road conference game to the Lions of Florida Memorial University, 68-64 on Thursday night in Miami Gardens. The loss dropped the Gyrenes to 5-3 in Sun Conference play, good for fifth place in the Sun Conference standings. 

Florida Memorial jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, grabbing a 17-9 advantage with 4:05 to play in the opening frame, thanks to a 10-2 run. The Gyrenes responded with a 9-0 run of their own to take an 18-17 lead, but the host Lions answered with eight points in the final 1:22 of the quarter to take a 25-21 lead after the first period.

In the second quarter, Florida Memorial widened their lead to as many as seven points on three occasions. The Gyrenes rallied to tie the game at 35 on a Syanne Rowe layup with 2:36 left in the half. After a drought of nearly three and a half minutes, FMU's Danielle Bailey hit a three-pointer at the end of the half to give the Lions a 38-35 lead at halftime.

Ave Maria briefly took control of the game in the third quarter, going on a 9-2 run to take a 47-43 lead, a run that was capped by a layup from Sarah Miller. The Gyrenes, after giving up five unanswered points, never regained the lead, and found themselves trailing by six points at the end of the third.

A key run in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Lions. With 8:56 to play, Katie Houbolt drilled a three-pointer to tie the game, 54-54. From that point, Florida Memorial went on a 14-3 run to increase their lead to 68-57. The Gyrenes mounted a comeback in the final three minutes to get within three, but could not entirely close the gap.

The Gyrenes were paced offensively by Miller, who logged her seventh double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Lauren Gillingham also added a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds. Ave Maria was hurt by a 50 percent free throw percentage, as the Gyrenes missed 12 of their 24 free throws.

Florida Memorial's offense ran through Abreona Cabell, who scored 31 points. Danielle Bailey and Ashley Henry also eclipsed ten points for the Lions.

Ave Maria faces another key conference game on Saturday, when the Gyrenes face St. Thomas University on the road. The Bobcats were dealt their first conference loss of the season on Thursday, a 77-51 defeat at the hands of Southeastern. Tipoff in Miami Gardens is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.