AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team used a 21-2 run early in the second half to claim a 67-48 victory over the Johnson and Wales University Wildcats Saturday evening at the Tom Golisano Field House. The Gyrenes, who snapped a four game losing streak on Saturday, now stand 6-2 in Sun Conference play, and are just one game back of first place Southeastern.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first half, as Johnson and Wales headed to the locker room with a 27-21 lead. The Gyrenes made just eight of their 29 field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes, and connected on just three of twelve two-point attempts. However, AMU's defense held JWU to 16.7 percent shooting from long distance, and were able to keep pace with the Wildcats, who held a lead thanks to ten made shots on 19 two-point attempts.

Lucas Uzdavinis knocked down three three-pointers in the first half, and led the way for the Gyrenes with nine points in the opening 20 minutes. Uzdavinis and Leo Behrend (seven points) combined for 16 of AMU's 21 points. Nine points also marked the high scorer for Johnson and Wales in the first half, as Vince Ventulan made all four of his field goal attempts for JWU, as well as a free throw.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Gyrenes came alive. Ave Maria went on a 21-2 run in the first four and a half minutes of the half, turning a six-point deficit into a 13-point lead. Junior Jovan Grujicic was key in the run, as the center assisted on three consecutive three-pointers during a stretch that turned a two-point JWU lead to a seven-point AMU edge. Following the 21-2 run, Johnson and Wales was only able to get within seven of the Gyrenes, who cruised to their third consecutive victory over the Wildcats. 

Ave Maria shot the ball much better in the second half, logging a 55.6 percent mark from the field in the final 20 minutes. AMU made ten three-pointers on the day, while holding the Wildcats to a 12.5 percent mark (3-of-24) from long distance. 

Leo Behrend was the top scorer on the day, logging a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Marcus Montalvo added 13 points, while Fernando Salsamendi chipped in with ten. Three Wildcats were in double figures on the other end of the court, led by 13 points from Ventulan. Kevin Rostamian posted a double-double with 12 points and eleven rebounds, and Alex Doane rounded out the trio with eleven points.

A huge matchup stands next on the schedule for the Gyrenes, as Ave Maria hosts Southeastern University next Saturday at 4 p.m. The Fire moved into first place in the Sun Conference on Saturday with a win over Keiser, and will come to Ave Maria for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The contest will also be a rematch of last season's Sun Conference Tournament semifinals, which was won by Ave Maria in a thriller.