MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team fell in Sun Conference action on Saturday afternoon, losing 100-42 to the Lions of Florida Memorial University. It was the second meeting of the season between the two teams, and the defensive pressure of the Lions proved to be the difference in the middle of the three contests between the two schools. Florida Memorial forced 41 Ave Maria turnovers, which turned into 60 Lion points.

Florida Memorial doubled up the Gyrenes in the first 20 minutes, taking a 48-24 lead into the halftime break. The Lions never trailed, scoring the first ten points of the game before a three-pointer from Lopez got AMU on the board just under three minutes in. Most of that 24-point margin was accounted for in the first quarter, when FMU outscored the Gyrenes 28-9. Florida Memorial's edge was powered by 21 forced turnovers and ten offensive rebounds.

The Lions continued to add to their lead in the second half, outpacing Ave Maria by a 52-18 margin. FMU held a 22-13 edge in the third quarter, then went on a 30-5 run in the fourth quarter to widen the final margin. The Lions made 63.3 percent of their shots in the final 20 minutes, while Ave Maria knocked down just six of its 22 attempts. 

Monica Behrend was the leading scorer for the Gyrenes in the losing effort, scoring nine points that all came in the second half. Both Lopez and Danielle Domino shot the ball well for Ave Maria, as both guards scored eight points, with both making a pair of three-pointers. 

Florida Memorial had five players in double figures, with those five players acccounting for 99 of the team's 100 points. The leader of the group was conference Player of the Year candidate Keaynna Tolbert, who had 29 points and seven assists. Unique Tate and Chantel Barnett both chipped in with 20 points.

A three-game roadtrip for the Gyrenes concludes on Tuesday evening, when the Gyrenes take on the Sun Conference powerhouse Southeastern University Fire. The Fire, who are undefeated in Sun Conference play this season, have not lost a regular season conference game since February 10, 2016. Tipoff in Lakeland between the Fire and the Gyrenes is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Following the contest with Southeastern, Ave Maria will play its first home games in nearly four weeks on Thursday and Saturday against Coastal Georgia and Thomas, respectively.