AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team was unable to hold off Thomas as the Night Hawks came back to defeat the Gyrenes 79-78 in the final minute of play.
 
After Thomas jumped out to an early lead, the Gyrenes caught fire from behind the arc to take a 21-20 lead midway through the opening half. Ave Maria was able to maintain their lead in for the remainder of the half and took a 45-39 lead into the break.
 
AMU shot 55 percent in the first half and made seven of their 11 attempts from three in the first 20 minutes.
 
The Blue and Green took their largest lead of the game four minutes into the second when Greenan Sullivan hit a three to put AMU in front 53-43. Ave Maria continued to lead for most of the second half and led by eight with 5:06 to play after Nemanja Brankov made a jumper.
 
Thomas tied the game with 2:21 to play only to see Jovan Grujicic retake the lead for the Gyrenes on the next AMU possession. With 53 seconds to play, Thomas hit a three to give the Night Hawks a one point edge. The Gyrenes had a couple chances in the final minute but weren't able to get the go-ahead basket.
 
Giapaolo Riccio led the Blue and Green with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Grujicic finished with 23 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Sullivan and Brankov each finished with 12 points for AMU.
 
The Gyrenes return to action on Jan. 11 when they take on Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens.