THOMASVILLE, Ga.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team earned the first conference victory of the Alex Moorehead era on Thursday night, rallying in the fourth quarter for a 68-63 victory over the Thomas University Night Hawks. The win was Ave Maria's tenth straight win over the Night Hawks, a streak that dates back to the 2016-2017 season.

Ave Maria got off to a good start in Thomasville, as the Gyrenes either led or were tied for the entirety of the opening quarter. AMU led by as many as six points in the opening frame, holding a six-point lead of 14-8 after a three-pointer from Monica Behrend with 2:16 to play. Thomas, however, finished the quarter on a 6-0 run, tying the score at 14 entering the second quarter.

The Gyrenes reclaimed momentum in the second quarter, starting the frame on a 9-2 run that was keyed by four points from Emily Rapacz. Thomas rallied to take their first lead of the game with a 10-0 run, leading 26-23 with 4:57 left in the half. AMU scored the final five points of the half, as a tipin from Armstead gave the Gyrenes a 28-26 lead heading into the halftime break.

Thomas' best quarter of the night was the third, which saw the Night Hawks outscore the Gyrenes 25-19 to take a four-point lead with ten minutes to play. The quarter was powered by a 22-9 run that turned a four-point AMU lead into a nine-point edge for the Night Hawks. Gianna Santacroce hit two three-pointers in the next 90 seconds to cut into the TU lead, helping get the Gyrenes back within four points.

AMU's rally came early in the fourth quarter, when Ave Maria surged for a 14-2 run over the first five minutes. The run was keyed by three three-pointers in less than 100 seconds, knocked down by Santacroce, Monica Behrend, and Catie Reszel. Thomas was able to cut the AMU lead to three in the closing seconds, but a pair of free throws and a pair of defensive stops allowed the Gyrenes to salt away their third win of the season.

Colleen Shanahan, despite scoring just two points, had a huge game for the Gyrenes down low. The freshman pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds, and tied a school record with seven blocked shots. Gianna Santacroce made five of her six three-pointers en route to a team-high 16 points, while Lavariah Armstead added 15. Casey Humphrey (12) and Emily Rapacz (10) were also in double figures in the win. 

With the first conference win of the season secured, the Gyrenes will continue their northern swing on Saturday afternoon against the Mariners of the College of Coastal Georgia. Coastal Georgia heads into Saturday's game with a 3-5 record, which includes conference losses to Keiser and No. 5 Southeastern. Tipoff from Brunswick in the opener of a conference doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.