AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team played their final home game of the 2020-21 season on Thursday evening, taking on the eleventh ranked Southeastern University Fire at the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy gymnasium. The Fire left town with a 101-48 victory, moving SEU one win away from their fifth consecutive unbeaten conference season. Despite the loss, Ave Maria clinched the number seven seed in the conference tournament.

Southeastern was in full control of the contest from the opening tip, scoring at least 20 points in all four quarters. The Fire scored 57 points in the first half, en route to a 57-21 lead at the break. SEU shot 53.3 percent from three-point territory in the first half, making eight of their 15 long distance attempts. The visitors added another 44 points in the second half, breaking the 100 point mark for the fourth time this year.

For the game, the visiting Fire shot 47.6 percent from the field. AMU's three-point defense did improve substantially in the second half, as Southeastern missed eleven of their 12 three-point tries. After shooting 22.6 percent from the field in the first half, Ave Maria closed the game by shooting 45.5 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes - a better total than SEU's 45.0 percent mark.

Gabrielle Ozoude led the way for Southeastern, scoring 28 points and pulling down six rebounds. Three other FIre players were in double figures, as well - Bekki Kalaydjiev had 16 points and five assists, Jade Odom had 15 points and six rebounds, and Madi Hecox scored 13 points and collected six steals.

Taylor Allen was Ave Maria's leading scorer, as the senior knocked down three three-pointers and put eleven points on the board. Hunter Chambers added eight points on two three-pointers and a pair of free throws. In the fourth quarter, freshman Kiara Occeant made her first career field goal, and added three free throws for a career high five points.

Thanks to Warner's victory over Thomas on Thursday night, the Gyrenes now know their opponent in the 2021 Sun Conference Tournament. The seventh-seeded Gyrenes will face second-seeded St. Thomas in Miami Gardens on Tuesday night, with the winner advancing to the tournament semifinals. Before that, AMU will finish the regular season on Saturday afternoon with a contest against the Keiser University Seahawks. Tipoff in West Palm Beach is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.