AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team went nose-to-nose with the number two team in the nation on Thursday night, and gave the Southeastern University Fire everything they could handle in a 55-51 defeat at Donahue Gym. The Gyrenes played dead even with the No. 2 Fire, and came up with an exceptional defensive performance. AMU became the first team to hold SEU under 60 points in nearly a year, breaking a streak of 35 consecutive games with 60 or more points scored.

The game could not have started much better for the Gyrenes, who held leads of 7-2 and 9-4 in the opening four minutes and change. The Fire would quickly close the gap to tie the game at nine, but the gap between the two teams would remain at two points or less for the remainder of the first. Reigning Sun Conference Player of the Week Gianna Santacroce drilled a three-pointer with 23 seconds left in the frame, giving Ave Maria a 17-16 lead after ten minutes.

Almost nothing separated the Gyrenes and the Fire in the second quarter, as the contest was a one possession game for the entirety of the frame. Southeastern held two different three-point leads, but Ave Maria responded with five straight points on both occasions to retake the lead. Neither team made a field goal in the final two minutes of the half, sending the game to the break even at 29. 

Southeastern tried to pull away in the third quarter, as the second-ranked Fire outscored the Gyrenes 16-9. The quarter included an 8-0 run from the Fire, which extended a 34-34 tie into a 42-34 lead for the visitors. AMU was able to immediately cut the lead back to four points on a Catie Reszel free throw and a Gianna Santacroce three, but Raegan Linster answered with a three of her own to push the lead back to seven, 45-38. 

Despite trailing by nine with under seven minutes to play, the Gyrenes battled their way back into the game. Southeastern's lead was trimmed to five on another Santacroce three with 3:14 to play, but the Gyrenes could not come up with the big bucket down the stretch. Ave Maria had opportunities in those final three minutes, but missed seven consecutive shots before a Colleen Shanahan layup at the buzzer. AMU did not let SEU pull away, but did not get any closer than four points.

Lavariah Armstead had 13 points to lead the Gyrenes, while Santacroce's four three-pointers provided her 12 points. Casey Humphrey rounded out Ave Maria's trio in double figures with eleven points. Emily Rapacz led the Gyrenes in rebounding while stuffing the stat sheet, finishing the night with five points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

Ave Maria's second trip through the Sun Conference starts on Saturday afternoon, when the Gyrenes head to Babson Park for a meeting with Webber International University. AMU will be looking to avenge their first conference loss of the season, a 76-56 decision at Donahue Gym on November 11. Tipoff between the Gyrenes and the Warriors is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.