BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team continued to make an early statement in The Sun Conference, defeating the Webber International Warriors, 73-63, Monday night in Babson Park. The Gyrenes have started the 2022-23 season with wins over the top two teams in last season's Sun Conference standings, and snapped a six-game losing streak to the Warriors with Monday's win.

The Gyrenes got off to a slow start in Babson Park, as the Warriors went on a 12-1 run following an opening AMU three-pointer to take a 12-4 lead. That would prove to be Webber's biggest lead of the game, as Ave Maria proceeded to steady themselves and eventually re-take the lead at 17-16. Webber was able to reclaim the lead just before the end of the first quarter, leading 18-17 after ten minutes of play. 

Ave Maria surged ahead in the second quarter, thanks to a major AMU run. Leading just 27-25, the Gyrenes went on a 14-3 run, capped off by a three-pointer from McKenzi Lyons. The 13-point edge was Ave Maria's biggest of the night, and proved to be enough cushion to withstand a small surge from Webber and send the Gyrenes into halftime with a 43-36 lead.

Webber battled back in the third quarter, outscoring the Gyrenes by a 19-9 margin to take a 55-52 lead heading into the fourth. Much of that ten-point swing occurred in the first two minutes of the second half, which saw Webber go on a 7-0 run to retake the lead at 45-43. Neither team would lead by more than three points until Webber took a 55-50 lead late in the quarter, with a Casey Humphrey jumper cutting the WIU lead to three at the end of the frame.

As was the case in Saturday's win over Southeastern, the Gyrenes saved their best for the fourth quarter. Ave Maria held Webber to just eight points in the final frame, scoring 21 points of their own to claim the win. AMU took the lead for good on a Humphrey three-pointer with 7:27 to play, part of a 11-2 run to open the quarter. Webber pulled back within three with 4:49 to play, but were held without a field goal for the remainder of the game as the Gyrenes pulled away.

AMU once again showcased their depth in Monday's win, with eight players scoring five or more points. The scoring was led by the second straight double-double from Grace Field, who ended the night with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Field also led the Gyrenes with four assists and four steals. Casey Humphrey also chipped in 13 points, with Lavariah Armstead (12) and Gianna Santacroce (11) also in double figures.

The Gyrenes, who are the first team to 2-0 in Sun Conference play this season, will play two home games in league play this week. The action starts Thursday, as Ave Maria looks to continue their winning streak against the Thomas University Night Hawks. AMU has won the last eleven meetings with Thomas, and the attempt for a 12th straight win is slated for 6:30 p.m. Thursday night at Donahue Gym.