AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team returned to the floor for their first countable contest in 28 days Wednesday night, and played with the energy of a group that was more than ready to play, steamrolling Thomas University 89-58 at Donahue Gym. Beginning a stretch of four games in eight days, the Gyrenes never trailed against the Night Hawks, and built a lead of 34 points at one point in the contest.
AMU's domination of their former Sun Conference rival began early. In the first six minutes of the game, the Gyrenes raced out to an 18-0 lead, a run that was capped by a three-pointer from Maria Kuhlman. The lead would grow even more in the final four minutes of the quarter, and the Gyrenes held a 19-point lead of 25-6 after a Cathreveny Cherestal layup ended the scoring for the first quarter.
Ave Maria put another 21 points on the board in the second quarter, and the Gyrenes continued to pull away from the Night Hawks. Kuhlman knocked down two more three-pointers to lead AMU in the second frame, including a three that gave AMU their largest lead of the night to that point at 29 points. That Kuhlman three was the final field goal of the half, and sent the Gyrenes to halftime with a 46-17 lead.
Head coach Alex Moorehead got the entire AMU bench involved in the second half, playing all 15 active players during the final 20 minutes. The Gyrenes still outscored Thomas in the final 20 minutes, 43-41, thanks to stellar offensive efforts by several young Gyrenes. Freshmen Saniya Hymes and Mary Smith both scored seven points in the second half, helping keep Thomas from having any hopes of a massive comeback.
Wednesday's blowout was partially keyed by Ave Maria's efforts on the defensive side of the floor. During the first 20 minutes of the contest, the Gyrenes held the Night Hawks to just eight made field goals, and a shooting percentage of 26.7. For the game, the Gyrenes forced 21 turnovers, as both Emily Rapacz and Casey Humphrey ended the night with three steals.
AMU's scoring efforts were balanced in Wednesday's victory, with 14 of the 15 players scoring at least two points. Humphrey was Ave Maria's leading scorer with eleven points, while Isabella Starzyk followed with ten of her own. Gianna Santacroce and Colleen Shanahan were the Gyrene leaders on the glass, with both players pulling down seven rebounds.
The Gyrenes will play every other day from the 13th to the 19th, with the first three of those games coming at Donahue Gym. Ave Maria will welcome visitors from the Hoosier State on Friday, when the Cougars of the University of Saint Francis, hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, come to town. The Gyrenes and the Cougars, who currently hold an 8-3 record, will tip off in Ave Maria at 7 p.m. Friday night.
