FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team could not keep up with the No.1 team in the nation at the NCAA Division II level, and fell 134-95 to the Sharks of Nova Southeastern University Wednesday night at Rick Case Arena. The Sharks outscored the Gyrenes 78-42 in the paint and 31-6 off turnovers to pick up the home victory.

Nova Southeastern shot an astronomical 80.5 percent from the field in the first half, including making 29 of their 32 two-point attempts. Four Sharks scored at least ten points in the opening 20 minutes, led by 14 from Mark Matthews. The Gyrenes attempted to keep up with a 45.2 percent mark from the field, which included 50 percent from inside the arc. Fernando Salsamendi was AMU's leading scorer in the first half with eleven points.

The second half was more balanced between the teams, as the Sharks outscored the Gyrenes 57-49. AMU's Leo Behrend was the leading scorer for both teams in the final 20 minutes, as the Honorable Mention All-American scored 16 points on ten shots. Greenan Sullivan also added ten points in the final frame for Ave. 13 points from Lukas Speidel led the way for the Sharks.

Behrend was the game's leading scorer with 25 points, and was one of five Gyrenes in double figures. Salsamendi added 17 points, while Lucas Uzdavinis scored 15 points. 14 points from Sullivan and 13 points from Marcus Montalvo rounded out AMU's double digit scorers. Matthews and Speidel both scored 24 points in the win for the Sharks, leading seven double figure scorers for the number one team in the nation.

Ave Maria returns home on Sunday for a meeting with the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University from Charlotte, North Carolina. The Wildcats enter the game ranked number one in the nation at the USCAA Division II level. Tipoff between the Wildcats and the No.11 Gyrenes is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Tom Golisano Field House.