AVE MARIA, Fla.- The streak is over.

The Ave Maria University men's basketball team ended a 22-game losing streak to the Keiser University Seahawks on Saturday afternoon, earning an 80-71 victory at the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy gymnasium. The victory is the first win ever for an AMU team against Keiser (or its previous incarnation Northwood), and gives the Gyrenes a 1-0 start in Sun Conference play.

Early on, it looked as if the Gyrenes would cruise to their streak-busting victory. Ave Maria jumped out to an 18-4 lead in the first seven minutes and change of the contest, and led by as many as 19 points in the opening 20 minutes. Keiser was able to close the gap to 15 points in the final 30 seconds of the half, but a layup from a red-hot Eric Klekas accounted for a 44-27 AMU lead at halftime.

Klekas exploded for 22 points on just eleven shots in the first half, including a pair of three-pointers. His output helped the Gyrenes shoot 59.4 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, all while holding Keiser to a 33.3 percent mark. Darius Bryant was Keiser's leading scorer in the first half, making three three-pointers to put nine points on the board coming off the bench.

Keiser rallied in the second half, and eventually erased Ave Maria's lead by tying the game at 58 with 7:17 remaining. The Gyrenes scored seven of the next nine points to build their lead back up to five, and never again relinquished the lead. Leading by four, a three-pointer from Lucas Uzdavinis proved to be the dagger, putting the Gyrenes up by seven with 2:38 left. The Seahawks did not get any closer than five points in the final 150 seconds, and free throws allowed AMU to finally exorcise their Keiser demons.

AMU held off the Seahawks despite Keiser shooting 58.1 percent from the field in the second half. For the game, Ave Maria logged a 52.6 percent mark from the field, while the Seahawks posted a 45.9 percent total. Keiser did hold a 38-29 advantage in the rebounding battle, but the Gyrenes offset that by forcing 19 Keiser turnovers, which turned into 17 AMU points. 

After scoring 13 more points in the second half, Klekas finished the contest with a career-high 35 points. The senior transfer's effort ranks seventh in school history for points in a game, and fourth in conference games. Fernando Salsamendi added a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Uzdavinis was also in double figures with 13 points. Keiser had four players in double figures, led by 16 points from Antwan Claxton.

With a 1-0 record in Sun Conference play, the Gyrenes now prepare for Florida Memorial University, who is set to come to Ave Maria on Wednesday night. The battle between the Gyrenes and the Lions is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of a men's and women's doubleheader.