LAKELAND, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team could not rally from a cold shooting day, and fell 63-59 to the Conquistadors of Florida National University on Friday evening in Lakeland. The game, which was held at The Furnace on the campus of Southeastern University, was a part of the Southeastern Thanksgiving Classic.
The Gyrenes scored just 16 points in the first half, and found themselves trailing by 16 at halftime. Despite holding a 30-16 advantage in rebounding, Ave Maria was only able to convert on seven of their 34 field goal attempts. Florida National, who shot nearly 40 percent from the field in the first half, led 13-9 after the first quarter. The Conquistadors then outscored AMU 19-7 in the second quarter, building a 32-16 lead after the first 20 minutes.
Ave Maria frantically rallied in the second half, cuttting a Florida National lead that grew to 21 points in the third quarter down to two. An and-one with 12 seconds left from Taylor Allen cut Florida National's lead to 61-59, but two free throws from Breyuna Walker with nine seconds left sealed the win for the Conquistadors. After being outscored 19-18 in the third quarter, AMU rallied for a 25-12 advantage in the final frame to nearly pull off the comeback.
Despite shooting better than 42 percent from the field in the second half, Ave Maria managed just 23 made field goals in 72 attempts in the loss. The Gyrenes grabbed 29 offensive rebounds, but were only able to score nine second chance points. AMU held a 58-32 edge in rebounding, but was done in by 16 turnovers, as well as the team's lowest shooting percentage of the season.
Sarah Miller recorded her sixth career 20-rebound game, grabbing 21 rebounds to go with 18 points. Taylor Allen did all she could to keep AMU afloat offensively, making five three-pointers and scoring a team-high 24 points. Allen and Miller combined to make 17 of Ave Maria's 23 field goals. Four Conquistadors were in double figures, led by 16 points from Ashley Williams.
AMU will conclude the Southeastern Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, as the Gyrenes take on Loyola University from New Orleans. Loyola is currently ranked No. 24 in the nation in the NAIA Division I Coaches' Poll. Tipoff at The Furnace in Lakeland is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
