MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but fell victim to a Florida Memorial comeback in a 66-64 loss at the FMU Wellness Center on Thursday night. A layup from the Lions with eleven seconds left proved to be the difference, as FMU split the season series with the Gyrenes.

Florida Memorial led for almost the entirety of the first quarter, including multiple leads of six points. The Lions jumped out to an 8-2 lead two and a half minutes into the contest, and also held advantages of 11-5 and 13-7. Ave Maria was able to cut the Lions' lead down to one point by the end of the quarter, and trailed 19-18 heading into the second period.

Ave Maria took their first lead since 2-0 following a pair of free throws from Syanne Rowe gave the Gyrenes a 22-21 lead with 7:35 left in the half. The teams traded the lead multiple times in the second quarter, but it was Ave Maria who finished the quarter on a high note. A three-pointer from Taylor Allen, a layup from Sarah Miller, and a free throw from Hunter Chambers ended the quarter with the Gyrenes holding a 35-32 lead.

A major run saw the Gyrenes open up their lead in the third quarter. After trailing 38-35, Ave Maria proceeded to go on an 18-2 run to take a 53-40 lead. During the run, the Gyrenes forced two turnovers and four missed shots from the host Lions. Florida Memorial was able to cut the AMU lead down to seven by scoring the final five points of the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the game was within five points for nearly the entire final ten minutes. In the final two minutes, neither team was able to score until the Lions took a 65-64 lead on a layup from Airneisha Gamble with eleven seconds left. Ave Maria then turned the ball over on their final possession, and a free throw from Isis Lane accounted for the 66-64 final score.

Sarah Miller led all scorers on the night, scoring 16 points and pulling down 15 rebounds for yet another double-double. Hunter Chambers added 15 points off the bench, while Syanne Rowe accounted for 14 points. Taylor Allen was also in double figures with eleven points. A reserve was the top scorer for the Lions, as Gamble scored 15 points in the conference victory.

The Gyrenes remain on the road this coming Saturday, with a trip to St. Thomas University on the docket. Ave Maria was victorious in their first meeting of the season with the Bobcats, claiming a 72-67 win at the Tom Golisano Field House on January 4. Tipoff at the Fernandez Family Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.