Box Score FRONT ROYAL, Va.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team remained unbeaten in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, as the Gyrenes dominated the Christendom Crusaders in a 104-45 victory at Crusader Memorial Gymnasium. The win marked the second largest margin-of-victory in school history, and the largest in nearly eight years.

The outcome was never in doubt for the Gyrenes, who raced out to a 19-2 lead in the opening nine minutes of the contest. Ave Maria also ended the first half on a 16-3 run, building a 41-13 lead heading into halftime. The scoring for the Gyrenes was balanced in the first half, with eight AMU players scoring making a field goal and none making more than three.

In addition to the offensive output, Ave Maria shut down the Crusaders on the offensive end of the floor. Christendom made just five of their 28 field goal attempts in the first half, and shot just ten percent (1-for-10) from three-point territory. Ave Maria also forced 14 Christendom turnovers in the first half, while only committing five.

Both teams picked up the offensive efforts in the second half, as the Gyrenes outscored the Crusaders 63-32. Ave Maria shot 69.4 percent from the field, and knocked down 12 of their 21 three-point attempts. After making just one three-pointer in the opening 20 minutes, Christendom made six threes in the second half, on 15 attempts. 

The NAIA's number two team in three-point shooting knocked down 17 threes in the victory, with seven Gyrenes connecting at least once. The Gyrenes shot above 50 percent from the field for the third time this season, and hit 15 or more threes for the fifth time in eight games. Christendom's 29.3 shooting percentage was the lowest for an AMU opponent this season.

Jose Sanchez made five three-pointers for the Gyrenes, and led the way with 23 points. Jeffrey Steel was the top scoring starter with 22 points, while Joseph Hahnenberg chipped in with 16 points. Greenan Sullivan was the only other Gyrene in double figures with ten points. Steel and Fernando Salsamendi both had eight rebounds in the win, while Stevan Krusevac led all players with six assists.

A major test awaits Ave Maria in the D.C. area on Wednesday. The Gyrenes will head to Takoma Park, Maryland for a meeting with Washington Adventist University. Washington Adventist made the NAIA Tournament a year ago, and are currently receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. WAU won a nailbiter last season, 73-69. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.