BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team rallied from a 21-point deficit on Saturday evening, and stunned the Webber International University Warriors, 76-73, at the Sabbagh Athletic Center. The Gyrenes trailed by 17 points at halftime, but came all the way back in the second half to stay unbeaten in Sun Conference play.
Webber thoroughly controlled the first half of play, as the Warriors did not trail in the opening 20 minutes of the game. The Warriors jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the first 4:10 of the day, and did not lead by less than five points. Webber's lead grew to 21 points with 2:15 to play in the half after leading by at least ten points for the final 12:49 of the half. Ave Maria was able to make two three-pointers in the final 2:05 of the half, cutting Webber's halftime lead down to 46-29.
The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, and outrebounded the Gyrenes 30-15. Ariel Watson scored 14 points in the opening 20 minutes, while Tommie Luke added 10. Ave Maria shot just 30.6 percent from the field, and made seven of 21 three-point attempts. The three-point shooting of Lucas Uzdavinis proved to be Ave's best offense in the first half, as the redshirt sophomore knocked down three threes to account for a team-high nine points.
Freshman guard Marcus Montalvo completely took over the game in the second half to key the Gyrene comeback. The Miami native scored 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the final 20 minutes, which included four three-pointers. Powered by Montalvo, the Gyrenes took their first lead of the day with 8:02 to play. An and-one from Montalvo and a layup from Greenan Sullivan pushed the AMU lead to seven with 6:39 on the clock. Webber was able to cut into the AMU lead, setting up a dramatic final minute.
Ave Maria led by one with 47 seconds left, but turned the ball over on an offensive foul. The AMU defense forced a turnover of their own, and Leo Behrend stepped to the free throw line for a pair of free throws with nine seconds left, both of which were made. The Warriors had two three-point attempts in the final ten seconds, but could not convert on either, allowing the Gyrenes to leave Babson Park with one of the bigger comeback wins in program history.
Montalvo's second half powered him to a game-high 24 points, a total acheived on just eleven shots. Fernando Salsamendi added 12 points off the bench, while Behrend just missed out on a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds. Four Warriors were in double figures, with a 19-point effort from Watson pacing Webber. Javonni Quince chipped in with a double-double of 14 points and eleven rebounds.
AMU will face a major test in their next game, as the 13th-ranked Gyrenes will head to Fort Lauderdale for a meeting with Nova Southeastern University. The Sharks are ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II. The matchup at Rick Case Arena is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
