MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team dropped their second conference game of the week on Saturday afternoon, losing 70-49 to the St. Thomas University Bobcats in Miami Gardens. The Gyrenes were held to 25.8 percent shooting from the field, and were outscored in each of the game's four quarters.

St. Thomas jumped out to a nine-point lead after the first ten minutes, holding the Gyrenes to four points en route to a 13-4 lead. Ave Maria did not score in the final 5:19 of the first quarter, with jumpers from Mallory Burton and Lauren Gillingham providing the scoring. 

The Bobcats widened their lead to 13 points in the second quarter on four occasions, including to end the first half. Ave Maria came as close as seven points after two Emily Acosta free throws began the frame. The Gyrenes were able to hold the Bobcats without a field goal in the final 3:16 of the half, but entered the locker room trailing by a 33-20 margin.

Ave Maria cut the St. Thomas lead to eight points in the third quarter, but a run in the final three minutes of the frame seemed to seal the Gyrenes' fate. A putback from Amanda Kasprzak pulled Ave within eight at 43-35, but the Bobcats proceeded to score the final eleven points of the quarter to take a 54-35 lead with ten minutes to play. The Bobcats stymied any Gyrene comeback attempt in the final frame to claim the 70-49 victory.

Jasmine Bateman was the brightest spot offensively for the Gyrenes, scoring 16 points and pulling down six rebounds. The senior knocked down four of her six three-point attempts, and was perfect from the free throw line. Ave Maria was able to pull down 17 offensive rebounds, but only turned them into ten points.

Samara Auguste was the game's leading scorer, pouring in 28 points with five assists and four steals. Keiana Brooks added 20 points on eight of nine shooting. The Bobcats outscored the Gyrenes 28-16 in the paint, and forced 18 AMU turnovers.

AMU returns home on Thursday evening for a conference matchup with Webber International University. The Gyrenes won the first meeting between the two schools, 72-62 in Babson Park on November 28. Tipoff in the Tom Golisano Field House is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.