AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team rallied from a 16-point first half deficit on Thursday night to defeat the Florida Memorial University Lions, 85-82, at the Tom Golisano Field House. The victory moved the Gyrenes to an even 4-4 in conference play, a mark that places the Gyrenes in a three-way tie for fifth place in the league.

Florida Memorial controlled the majority of the first half, as the Lions built a lead as large as 16 points. Thanks to a 14-2 run over a period of just over four minutes, Florida Memorial held a 43-27 lead with 2:50 to play in the first half. Ave Maria was able to stay in the game by scoring the final seven points of the opening period, closing the FMU lead to 43-34 after 20 minutes of play.

FMU's lead was partially due to their hot shooting during stretches of the first half, as the Lions knocked down six three-pointers. The Gyrenes kept things close by hitting four threes of their own, and shot 44.4 percent from the field. 

Ave Maria needed less than five minutes to retake the lead in the second half, starting the frame on a 22-7 run to open up a 56-50 lead. The game would remain close for the remainder of the contest, with the Lions retaking the lead at 71-70 with 6:40 to play. Ave Maria then scored six straight points on a Caelen Watts three and a Leo Behrend and-one to take a five-point lead they would not relinquish. Florida Memorial twice got within one point in the final minute, but four points from Behrend and a missed three at the buzzer sealed the win for the Gyrenes.

Behrend and Gianpaolo Riccio powered the victory for Ave Maria, combining for 50 points. Behrend led all scorers with 27 points, and was one rebound short of a double-double with nine. Riccio connected on six three-pointers during the victory, adding 23 points to the total. Greenan Sullivan was the only other AMU player in double figures with 12 points.

AMU will return to the floor on Saturday for another Sun Conference matchup, as the St. Thomas University Bobcats come to town. A win could move the Gyrenes as high as third in the Sun Conference after the first rotation through the league. Tipoff against the Bobcats, who are 5-3 in the conference, is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. following the women's game between the two schools.