AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team dropped the back end of a two-day doubleheader against the University of the Virgin Islands, losing 89-71 to the visiting Buccaneers. UVI controlled the game by shooting 63.6 percent from the field, with five players in double figures.

The first half was characterized by a series of runs. UVI started the game as the more effective team, forcing AMU to miss their first six shots and jumping out to a 19-8 lead in the opening six minutes of the contest.  The Gyrenes responded with a 17-2 run of their own, taking their first lead of the game at 20-19 with 10:48 to play in the opening period. Despite growing their lead as big as five points, the Buccaneers closed the gap, going on a 20-5 run in the closing moments of the half to give UVI a 47-40 lead after 20 minutes.

UVI's major advantage in the first half came in the paint, where the Buccaneers outscored the Gyrenes 22-12. That ability to score in the paint helped UVI shoot 63.6 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while the Gyrenes stayed in the game by knocking down seven three-pointers.

In the second half, the Buccaneers kept the momentum going by scoring the first seven points of the half to extend their lead to 14 points at 54-40. For the remainder of the game, the Gyrenes would get no closer than eight points. UVI again shot 63.6 percent from the field, while Ave Maria was held to just 29.7 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three-point range.

Three Gyrenes were in double figures in the losing effort, led by 19 points from Gianpaolo Riccio. Greenan Sullivan made three of his four three-point attempts en route  to a 15-point performance, while Leo Behrend scored eleven points. UVI was led by Keith Gilmore's 25 points, while Dylan Spriggins chipped in with 15 points and 13 rebounds. 

Ave Maria will play one more game before Christmas, when the Warriors of Sterling College come to town. Tipoff at the Tom Golisano Field House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.