BRUNSWICK, Ga.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team knocked down 15 three-pointers, but fell short in a 91-80 loss to the College of Coastal Georgia on Saturday evening. The Mariners knocked down 12 threes of their own to outpace the Gyrenes in the second meeting between the teams this season.

Ave Maria jumped out to three early five-point leads, and had the advantage for most of the first 13 minutes. The biggest lead of the first half was seven points for the Gyrenes, who held a 26-19 lead with 10:41 to play. Coastal Georgia went on their first run in the second half of the opening frame, surging for a 21-3 run to take a 40-29 lead with 3:26 left in the half. Ave Maria rallied in the closing moments of the half, and trailed just 46-43 at the half.

Coastal Georgia built a nine-point lead in the opening moments of the second half, leading 55-46 less than three minutes into the frame. The three-point shooting of the Gyrenes launched another rally, which saw Ave tie the game with as little as 12:48 to play. The Mariners' final run of the game proved to be the biggest, as Coastal Georgia scored 28 of the next 34 points to put the Gyrenes away.

Jonathan Simmons had a huge night from three-point land for the Gyrenes, making seven of his ten three-point attempts to lead Ave Maria with 27 points. Gianpaolo Riccio followed with 19 points, and four other Gyrenes scored at least seven points.

Four Mariners were in double figures in the victory, led by 22 points from Jaylen Smallwood. Brandon Martin recorded a double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds, while Haylen Washington added 18 points. Vidmantas Kaciuska rounded out the double figure scorers with 15 points.

The Gyrenes conclude the 2017-2018 season next week with two games at the Tom Golisano Field House. The week begins against the Bobcats of St. Thomas University, who currently sit atop the conference standings. Tipoff in Ave Maria is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.