AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team erased a 15-point deficit to force overtime on Thursday night, but could eventually fell just short in a 90-87 overtime defeat at the hands of the Coastal Georgia Mariners. Thursday's game marked the eleventh time this season an Ave Maria game was decided by six points or less; it was also AMU's second overtime game in less than two weeks.

Coastal Georgia was in control for much of the first half, scoring the first seven points of the game and leading by as many as 15 points. That lead was powered by a 17-6 run that extended a four-point lead to 15. However, the Gyrenes scored the final nine points of the half, propelled by a three-pointer from Eric Klekas and layups from Chosen Levarity, Fernando Salsamendi, and Vince Ventulan, and trailed by just six entering the halftime break.

Ave Maria looked to be in dire straits in the second half, trailing by 14 with 15:51 remaining. However, the resilient Gyrenes continued to chip away at the Coastal Georgia lead, eventually taking a 65-64 lead with 6:35 on the clock. 

From that point on, the lead changed hands five times, with the Mariners eventually leading 80-77 with six seconds on the clock. Following a made free throw from Coastal Georgia, Lucas Uzdavinis knocked down a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, the teams traded 5-0 runs to keep the game tied at 85 with 3:32 on the clock. After a free throw put the Mariners up one, Kenny Brown knocked down a three-pointer with 1:04 left to increase the Coastal lead to four. 

Following a Klekas layup and one Jordan Parks free throw, AMU had one final chance to send the game to double overtime. However, a deep three-pointer from Ventulan was off the mark, giving the win to the visitors.

Klekas led the Gyrenes with 22 points in the losing effort, while Uzdavinis scored a season-high 21 points. Jose Sanchez added 13 points and seven rebounds, and was AMU's top bench scorer. Rounding out a Gyrene quartet in double figures was Salsamendi, as the reigning Sun Conference Player of the Week had eleven points. Coastal Georgia had five players in double figures, with 21 points from Kenny Brown and 19 points from Lee Green leading the way.

The Gyrenes are still in second place in The Sun Conference, but will put that spot on the line against the hottest team in the league on Saturday afternoon. Ave Maria will welcome the Thomas University Night Hawks, winners of four straight games, to the Donahue Academy gymnasium for The Sun Conference Game of the Week. Tipoff between the Gyrenes and the Night Hawks, the second meeting between the two schools this season, is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game.