AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team found a way to win on Monday evening, holding on for a 75-72 win over the Tigers of Edward Waters University at Donahue Gym. The Gyrenes, who trailed with under four minutes to play to the visiting Tigers, made enough plays down the stretch to earn their tenth win of the season in their final home game of the 2021 calendar year.

The Gyrenes found themselves in an early hole, as Edward Waters scored on their first three possessions and forced two AMU turnovers to jump out to a 7-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the game. AMU would quickly erase that deficit, though, taking their first lead at 10-9 following a layup from Klajd Kiri with 15:16 on the clock. That stretch was part of a 15-3 run for the Gyrenes, allowing Ave Maria to build an six-point lead. 

Ave Maria would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the first half, save for a 22-22 tie, but EWU remained close throughout. After trailing by seven, 35-28, with 3:55 left in the half, the Tigers outscored the Gyrenes 8-2 in the final four minutes, with a jumper from Nazir Gossette cutting the lead to one, which is where it stood at halftime.

In the second half, the lead would change hands ten times, with neither team leading by more than five points. Edward Waters' largest lead was four points, holding leads of 54-50 with 9:36 left and 56-52 with 8:30 on the clock. The final lead for the Tigers came following a Jordan Jackson three-pointer with 4:05 on the clock, which put EWU up 65-64.

With the game tied at 68 with three minutes left, the Gyrenes would score on consecutive possessions, thanks to a Daryl Lewis layup and a Kiri jumper. The lead was kept by Ave Maria for the rest of the game, although Edward Waters did have an opportunity to send the game to overtime. Down 75-72, Jordan Jackson's three-point attempt from the corner clanged off the rim, and the Gyrenes secured the rebound to lock down the win. 

All five of Ave Maria's starters were in double figures on Monday, led by a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds from Klajd Kiri. Chayse Culpepper added 16 points of his own, and dished out five assists. Matt Gillis scored 12 points for the Gyrenes, while Eric Klekas and Daryl Lewis both put up eleven points in the winning effort.

There is no rest coming for the Gyrenes, who are right back on the floor Tuesday afternoon. Ave Maria will play in a neutral site game against Spring Arbor University from Michigan, hosted at The Furnace in Lakeland, Florida on the campus of Southeastern University. Tipoff of that game, Ave Maria's last before the New Year is scheduled for 4 p.m.