AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Gyrenes lost their first game in the newly renovated Tom Golisano Field House, falling to the #16 Florida Memorial Lions 80-66. It was a tough day for the Gyrenes from the three-point arc, shooting just 16.7% from the perimeter.
The game was filled with cold streaks for the Gyrenes. After taking an early 8-5 lead with two threes, AMU went 0-for-12 from downtown over the span of eleven. Two-point baskets and good defense were able to keep the Gyrenes within striking distance of the Lions, but it was tough for the Gyrenes to maintain momentum with their main weapon not firing.
Near the end of the first half, the Gyrenes got back to form, went on a 10-1 run, and tied the game at 31. Nick Filchner hit the tying shot with the Gyrenes' fourth three of the half. Unfortunately, that would be the last three of the half. FMU got some distance in the final minutes and went into the break up five.
Out of the half, the Gyrenes hit two threes to take a 40-39 lead, but that was the last time the Gyrenes would see themselves ahead on the scoreboard.
The Lions responded with a three of their own to take a 42-40 lead and then defensively smothered the Gyrenes for the rest of the game.
Ave Maria continued to struggle from outside the arc and went 0-for-19 for most of the second half. Meanwhile, Florida Memorial continued to expand their lead and force even more tough shots during the cold streak.
Ave Maria hit one final three before the buzzer to make the final score 80-66 and finish the night officially 7-for-42 from three-point land. At 16.7%, it is the lowest shooting percentage from behind the arc since December of 2021.
Michael Klekas led the team in scoring with 19 points. Also in double-digits was Filchner with 16 and Jonathan Effertz with 12.
With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 14-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Gyrenes and Lions are now tied for first place in the Sun Conference with both teams at 3-1. They will play each other again in Miami Gardens on February 14.
Ave Maria's next game is on the road as they travel across the state to play the other Miami Gardens' team, the St. Thomas Bobcats. STU outlasted Southeastern 79-75 in overtime to improve to 2-2 in conference play. The Gyrenes are back home Wednesday, January 24, when they host the Webber Warriors. All games can be streamed on the Sun Digital Network.
