AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team came up a bit short on Friday night, as the Gyrenes fell 80-74 to the Cougars of Spring Arbor University at the Tom Golisano Field House. The No. 15 Cougars, who are the defending NAIA Division II national champions, shot 57.7 percent from the field en route to a victory over the No. 11 Gyrenes.
AMU built a double-digit lead in the first half, but only led by four points at the conclusion of the opening 20 minutes. The Gyrenes led 30-19 with 5:36 to play in the first half, as a three-pointer from Lucas Uzdavinis opened the AMU lead to eleven. Spring Arbor then went on a 12-2 run to cut Ave Maria's lead to one. Another three-pointer from Uzdavinis increased Ave's lead to four, 35-31, at halftime.
Five three-pointers from the Gyrenes helped AMU claim the halftime lead, despite a 59.1 percent shooting mark from the visiting Cougars. Leo Behrend was the offensive stalwart for Ave Maria, as the senior scored 15 points on eight shots in the opening 20 minutes. 19 of Spring Arbor's 31 points came from Luke Barber (10) and Paul Marandet (9).
Spring Arbor rallied in the second half, led by a 20-point effort from Marandet. Spring Arbor's biggest lead in the final 20 minutes was six points, while Ave Maria was unable to complete a late comeback that saw AMU get within one point with ten seconds left. The free-throw shooting of the Cougars allowed the defending national champions to leave town with a victory.
The Cougars' biggest advantages in the contest came from their 57.7 percent mark from the field, as well as their 38-25 edge in rebounding. Marandet led four double figure scorers with 29 points, and dished out 12 assists. Spring Arbor's scoring was also provided by Barber (17 points), Payton Dewildt (14 points) and Jeff Beckman (13 points)
Leo Behrend led Ave Maria with 29 points of his own, and finished just short of a double-double with nine rebounds. Marcus Montalvo added 13 points, while Lucas Uzdavinis made three three-pointers and one two to account for eleven points.
Ave Maria plays another nationally ranked contest on Saturday, when the Gyrenes travel to Fort Lauderdale to play in the Cruzin' Classic. AMU's opponent at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center will be No. 6 Dakota Wesleyan. Tipoff between the two top 15 teams is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., and will be AMU's final game of 2019.
