SOUTHFIELD, Mich.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team dropped their first game at the Blue Devils Classic in Michigan on Saturday afternoon, falling 73-56 to the host school, the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech. The Gyrenes fell victim to a cold shooting day, shooting just 30.7 percent from the field and missing 17 of 18 three-point attempts.

The two teams traded the lead several times in the first quarter, with Ave Maria going on a quick 6-0 run early in the frame to take an early 6-2 before Lawrence Tech responded with a 13-4 run. Tech's run pushed the lead to 15-10 late in the first quarter, before a layup from Casey Humphrey on AMU's final possession of the frame let the Gyrenes get back within three, 15-12, at the end of the quarter. 

Ave Maria once again took the lead during the course of the second quarter, but a late surge put Lawrence Tech back on top at halftime. A jumper from sophomore Catie Reszel gave the Gyrenes a 21-20 lead with 4:54 to play in the second. From there, the Blue Devils went on a 12-1 run, taking their first double-digit lead of the game at 32-22. A layup from Gianna Santacroce took the teams into the half with the Blue Devils up 32-24.

Lawrence Tech kept the momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Gyrenes 22-8 over the first seven minutes of the frame to grow the lead to 22 points. Ave Maria ended the quarter on a 9-2 run to cut the lead back to 15, with the scoring provided by Reszel, Humphrey, and Lavariah Armstead.

The Gyrenes weren't able to get much closer to Lawrence Tech in the fourth closer, as the Blue Devil lead never dipped below 12 points. Ave Maria was within 12 at two points during the quarter (58-46 with 6:14 to play and 63-51 with 3:51 to play), but Lawrence Tech scored on their next possession on both occasions to keep control of the lead down the stretch. 

Four players scored all but seven of Ave Maria's points in the losing effort. Casey Humphrey led the way with 22 points, and Lavariah Armstead followed with 14. Catie Reszel had seven points, and Colleen Shanahan scored six points while also leading the Gyrenes with eleven rebounds. Lawrence Tech's leader was Julia Huey, who made seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 26 points.

AMU continues their time in Michigan on Sunday with the final game of the Blue Devil Classic. The Gyrenes will face Siena Heights University, with tipoff in the neutral site affair scheduled for 1:00 p.m.