WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team erased a 13-point deficit in the second half, but could not complete the comeback win, falling 75-66 to the Keiser University Seahawks at the Student Life Center in West Palm Beach. The Gyrenes outscored the Seahawks by two points in the first, third, and fourth quarters, but were doomed by an ice cold second quarter.
Both teams shot the ball well in the early moments of the game, as both AMU and KU knocked down three three-pointers in the first ten minutes of the game. Neither team led by more than five points in the opening frame, a 20-15 lead from Keiser that was knocked down to two points just eight seconds later on a Casey Humphrey three-pointer that accounted for the final points of the frame.
The second quarter proved to be the difference in the game, as the Seahawks outscored the Gyrenes 17-6, more than accounting for the game's final margin. Ave Maria made just two of their 15 field goal attempts in the ten minutes before halftime, allowing the Seahawks to build a 37-24 lead at the break. That 13-point lead would prove to be the largest of the day for either team.
Despite being down 13, the Gyrenes found a way to get back in the game. Ave Maria outscored the Seahawks 27-17 in the third quarter, cutting the Keiser lead down to three, 54-51. Humphrey led the comeback attempt, hitting two three-pointers and two free throws to score eight points. For the second time in three quarters, the Gyrenes scored on the final possession of the quarter, as a putback from Isabella Starzyk got the Gyrenes within three.
AMU tied the game on a Maria Kuhlman three-pointer with 8:20 to play, but were never able to take the lead. After the Kuhlman three, Keiser went on a 11-2 run to all but put the Gyrenes away. AMU didn't do themselves any favors, missing all five of their free throws while Keiser made ten of their 16 attempts in the final ten minutes.
Maria Kuhlman was once again the top scorer for the Gyrenes on Saturday. The fifth-year senior scored a game-high 21 points, while also pulling down six rebounds. Casey Humphrey also played well for the Gyrenes, scoring 17 points while leading AMU in both rebounds (7) and steals (4). The main difference in scoring came at the free throw line, as Keiser made 25 free throws to just five for Ave Maria.
Ave Maria will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday, when the Gyrenes return to Tom Golisano Field House for the first time in a week and a half. AMU will host the defending Sun Conference champions, the Florida Memorial Lions, as the opening game of a men's and women's doubleheader. Opening tipoff from New Golisano is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
