WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team, playing a conference game for the first time in nearly two months and a countable game for the first time in 24 days, could not keep pace with the host Keiser University Seahawks on Thursday, falling 85-64 in West Palm Beach. In addition to the long layoff, the Gyrenes were without two of their typical starters.

Keiser stormed out on the shorthanded Gyrenes, taking a 16-2 lead less than six minutes into the contest. For the final 14 minutes of the first half, the Gyrenes outscored Keiser 28-24, getting the Seahawk lead as low as six points before eventually trailing by ten at halftime. Gianna Santacroce was the centerpiece of AMU's efforts in the first half, as the freshman needed just 18 minutes on the floor to nearly post a double-double with eleven points and nine rebounds.

The third quarter saw Keiser pull away from the Gyrenes, outscoring AMU 24-10 coming out of halftime. Although Ave Maria was able to outscore the Seahawks in the fourth, 24-21, the 24-point deficit was too much to overcome for the visitors. Ave Maria's best player in the second half was sophomore Cathreveny Cherestal, who made all four of her field goal attempts, as well as a pair of free throws, to score ten points in the final 20 minutes.

On Thursday, the depth of Keiser proved to be a major factor in the Seahawks' ability to pull away. 12 Keiser players played eight minutes or more in the conference affair, while just seven Gyrenes did so, including four that played for 30 minutes or more. The Seahawks also held a major advantage on the glass, grabbing 22 offensive rebounds, and turned 17 Ave Maria turnovers into 31 points.

Powered by her perfect second half from the field, Cherestal was Ave Maria's leading scorer with 16 points. Santacroce followed with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Lavariah Armstead scored 14 points with a team-high four assists. Emily Rapacz rounded out Ave Maria's quartet in double figures with 12 points. 

For the first time since December 20, the Gyrenes will take the floor at home on Saturday, welcoming the Warner University Royals to Donahue Gym. The game will also be AMU's first conference home game in more than two months. Warner currently holds a 3-4 record in Sun Conference play, and are winners of four consecutive games overall. Tipoff in Ave Maria is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.