KINGSPORT, Tenn.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team rose to the occasion at "The Show" in Kingsport, Tennessee, earning a 95-89 victory over the Red Wolves of Indiana University East. The win came over an IU East team that is currently considered a top three team in the River States Conference, and was in the NAIA Tournament in 2019-2020, their last full season of competition.

It was a slow start for the Gyrenes, who missed shots on their first three possessions to fall in an early 5-0 hole. That would prove to be the biggest lead of the day for IU East, as Ave Maria took their first lead of the game at 10-9. The biggest run of the half would follow, as AMU went on a 12-0 run to turn a four-point deficit into a 22-14 lead. The Gyrenes held the lead for all but 21 seconds of the half from there, scoring the final four points of the frame to lead 38-35 at halftime. 

AMU held that lead at halftime due to their advantage inside over the Red Wolves, who entered the game among the nation's best in blocked shots. The Gyrenes outscored Indiana East 30-12 inside the arc, which allowed the Gyrenes to overcome a cold shooting half from long distance (2 for 10). Ave Maria also held a major advantage on the glass, grabbing 25 rebounds in the first 20 minutes, as opposed to 17 for the Red Wolves.

The game stayed close for much of the second half, with Ave Maria holding the lead through much of the frame. The Gyrenes didn't put IU East way until the final two minutes. Up four with 1:51 left after a Red Wolves layup, Eric Klekas hit two free throws, then a steal from Joseph Hahnenberg led to a Matt Gillis three, extending the lead to nine with 1:13 on the clock. 

Ave Maria was able to overcome a 45-15 advantage for the Red Wolves from beyond the three-point arc, mostly thanks to their play down low. The Gyrenes pulled down 17 offensive rebounds to just five for IU East, and got to the free throw line 32 times. Ave Maria's advantage of 50-30 in points in the paint, as well as 26-12 at the free throw line, proved to be enough to earn AMU their seventh win of the season. 

Eric Klekas played his best game of the 2021-22 season on Saturday afternoon, scoring 35 points and pulling down seven rebounds. The senior scored 25 of those points in the second half, making seven of ten field goal attempts and nine of ten free throws. Daryl Lewis followed Klekas with 21 points, while Chayse Culpepper chipped in 16. Klekas, Lewis, and Culpepper combined to make 25 of their 29 free throws in the win. 

The Gyrenes conclude their trip to the Volunteer State on Sunday with their final game at "The Show." Ave Maria will face the Mighty Oaks of Oakland City University, who suffered an 87-79 loss in their opening game in Kingsport. Tip-off of Ave Maria's final game in November is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.