PENSACOLA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team started fast on Saturday, and used that fast start to cruise to an 89-67 victory over the Eagles of Pensacola Christian College Saturday afternoon in the Florida panhandle. The victory moved the Gyrenes to 7-3 on the season, and increased AMU's winning streak over the NCCCA program to six games. 

After two early baskets gave PCC an 5-0 in the first two minutes, AMU took full control of the game over the next three minutes. The Gyrenes went on a 21-5 run, capped off by a Miles Monchecourt three-pointer that increased the AMU lead to 11 points, 21-10. Pensacola Christian would never again come closer than seven points to the Gyrenes, who continued to build their lead throughout the half. The Gyrenes ended the half on a 9-0 run, taking a 50-27 lead into the halftime break. 

The Gyrenes maintained control throughout the second half, as the AMU lead never dipped below 20 points. The Eagles were able to outscore the Gyrenes by one point, 40-39, in the final 20 minutes. The lead of 20 or more points allowed AMU to empty the bench, as all 13 Gyrenes that saw the floor played at least ten minutes, and none of those 13 Gyrenes played more than 20. 

Ave Maria pounded the Eagles in the paint in Saturday's victory, outscoring Pensacola Christian by a 40-18 margin around the basket. This edge in the paint also manifested itself in a major rebounding edge for the Gyrenes. Ave Maria pulled down 22 offensive rebounds, which turned into 23 Gyrene points. In total, the Gyrenes grabbed 62 rebounds, breaking a single game school record that had stood since the 2011 season, in Jamon Copeland's first tenure as head coach.

Miles Monchecourt and Houston Culpepper led the Gyrenes with 13 points each, while Michael Klekas made it three Gyrenes in double figures with eleven points. All 13 Gyrenes that saw playing time made at least one field goal, and all 13 contributed to the school record with at least one rebound, with eleven different Gyrenes grabbing an offensive rebound. Klajd Kiri was the leader on the glass, securing ten rebounds to go with his seven points. 

Next on the schedule for the Gyrenes, who are halfway through a six-game roadtrip, are the Conquistadors of Florida National University. Wednesday's matchup with the Conquistadors will mark Ave Maria's final game before a two-week break for the Christmas holiday. Tipoff in Hialeah between Ave Maria and Florida National is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.