LAKE WALES, Fla. — Ave Maria played and won their second overtime game of the season, beating the Warner Royals 97-95. Warner matched the Gyrenes for most of the game with neither team getting more than a 7-point lead on the other, but a few key defensive stops in the extra period gave AMU the victory.
Ave Maria struggled from mid range in the first half, going just 1-for-5 on jumpers inside the arc and 3-for-7 on layups. Luckily, the Gyrenes' bread and butter, the three ball, was on fire with AMU shooting over 50% beyond the arc. The Gyrenes hit 10 threes in the first half, tying their games against Middle Georgia and Florida National for the second most threes in a first half this season. The only game they have hit more was when Ave Maria drained 11 trifectas against Florida College in the opening 20 minutes.
Jack Watkins led the team from downtown in the first half, nailing three of them. Jaylen White and Nick Filchner also hit multiple threes in the frame. White's second three of the half was the final bucket for the Gyrenes. It ended a three and a half minute scoreless streak and snapped the Royals' lead to just four going into the break.
Coming out of the half, it was just the fourth time this season the Gyrenes found themselves playing from behind, but they were determined not to stay down.
For the first 11 minutes, the two teams were even from the field. Both hit seven shots with three of them being from long range. The difference between the two was Ave Maria staying composed while Warner fouled and sent Ave Maria to the line. The Gyrenes went 7-for-8 from the charity stripe while Warner only made two free throws.
With just a little over nine minutes to go, White hit a layup to give Ave Maria their first lead of the half.
The Gyrenes tried to get some separation, but the Royals continued to match the Gyrenes shot for shot.
In the late stages of the game, after a no good three, Filchner went flying across the baseline to keep a ball in play and flung it to a wide open Noryen Lesley under the basket who laid it in to tie the game at 82. Both teams played strong defense in the final minute and the game went to overtime.
In the extra period, the two teams went back and forth, much like the first 40 minutes of the game. Down one, Michael Klekas got open down low and put home a layup to put Ave Maria on top 91-90. On the other end of the court, the Gyrenes were able to force a turnover, making it an empty possession for the Royals. From their the Gyrenes made their free throws, going 6-for-6 while Warner fouled to try and extend the game. When the final buzzer sounded, the Gyrenes were victorious 97-95.
Watkins led the team with 25 points, while Klekas joined him in the 20-point club with 22. Three more Gyrenes finished with double digits with Filchner hitting 13, Lasley scoring 11, and White bringing home 10. Filchner led the team in rebounds, pulling down 10 boards and recording his third double-double of the season.
With the win, the Gyrenes improve to 13-3 on the year and 2-0 in conference play. They are only one of two teams still undefeated in Sun Conference play and will clash with the other on Saturday when the head to West Palm Beach to take on the Keiser Seahawks. KU defeated Webber in the their conference opener 86-81 and then took down Southeastern 84-81. Saturday will be a battle between two teams with a conference championship in their sights. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. right after the women's game concludes. The game will be broadcast on the Sun Digital Network.
The Gyrenes return home Wednesday, January 17, when they host the Florida Memorial Lions.
