LAKELAND, Fla. - The Ave Maria University women's basketball team was defeated on Tuesday night, falling 106-38 to the Southeastern University Fire at The Furnace in Lakeland. The Fire, who entered the game ranked 16th in the nation, have now won 84 consecutive regular season conference games, a streak that dates back to the 2015-2016 season. The Fire scored at least 20 points in all four quarters to move to 12-0 in conference play this season.

Southeastern scored the first 20 points of the game, and did not surrender a field goal to the Gyrenes until ten seconds remained in the first quarter, when Danielle Domino knocked down a three-pointer. After holding a 46-13 lead at halftime, the Fire added 60 points in the second half. Ave Maria had their highest scoring frame in the third quarter, scoring 16 of their 38 points in the first ten minutes after halftime.

Ave Maria shot 23.9 percent from the field on Thursday night, improving that total slightly (28.6 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. Conversely, Southeastern shot 58.8 percent from the field, and 55.6 percent from long distance. The Fire were especially adept at turning AMU mistakes into points, scoring 34 points off 29 Gyrene turnovers. SEU also held a 42-28 edge in rebounding, a total that included 14 offensive rebounds.

Hunter Chambers and Taylor Lopez were the top scorers for the Gyrenes, as both players knocked down two three-pointers en route to an eight point night. Domino and Monica Behrend added seven points. Southeastern had five players in double figures, led by 17 points and eight rebounds from Gabrielle Ozoude. 

For the first time in 29 days, the Gyrenes will step on their home floor on Thursday night, when Ave Maria hosts the Mariners of Coastal Georgia. It is the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams, as Coastal Georgia earned a 78-59 victory in Brunswick on December 5. Tipoff between the Mariners and Gyrenes is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and will be first of two home games this week for the Gyrenes, who will also host the Night Hawks of Thomas University on Saturday afternoon.