AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Men's Basketball team welcomed the New College of Florida Mighty Bayans to the Sun Conference Wednesday night with a 97-77 win in front of a near-packed house at Tom Golisano Field House. It was the first ever Sun Conference game for New College who joined the league in July of 2024, and Ave Maria shot all over the Mighty Banyans.
The first nine minutes of the game was fairly even between the two squads with two ties and five lead changes. The Mighty Banyans hit a layup with 10:50 left to play in the first half to take a 22-21 lead. That was the last time New College led in the game.
On the next possession, Mark Blaszczyk hit a three to put the Gyrenes back on top and it was off to the races. Ave Maria closed the half with a 33-16 run to take a 54-38 lead at halftime. Six of the 11 made shots for the Gyrenes were behind the arc. Over the whole first half, the Gyrenes connected on nine trifectas, the most they have hit in one half this season. It is also the fourth time this season the Gyrenes have scored 50 or more points in a frame.
The Mighty Banyans opened the second half with their largest run of the night, outscoring Ave Maria 13-4 in the first three and half minutes of the period. That brought New College within seven of the Gyrenes, the closest they would get all half.
Ave Maria got back into their rhythm and responded with a streak of their own, outscoring New College 19-6 in six minutes to build back a 20-point lead.
The squads were dead even in the final ten minutes of the game, each scoring 20 points. When the final buzzer sounded, the Gyrenes walked off the court with their first home conference win of the season, topping the Mighty Banyans 97-77.
Jonathan Effertz led the team with 16 points, hitting seven of his 10 shots from the field. In total six players hit double figures in the game for the Gyrenes, with Miles Monchecourt scoring 15, Jaylen White and Jack Poirier scoring 12, Nick Filchner hitting 11 and Noryen Lasley rounding out the group with 10. It is the first time since January 27, 2024, Ave Maria has had six shooters hit double figures.
Poirier led the team in threes with four. As a team, the Gyrenes hit a season-high 13 trifectas.
Monchecourt led the team with eight rebounds.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 5-2 on the year and 2-0 in conference play.
Wednesday was the start of a three-game homestand for the Gyrenes. Ave Maria is back on the court at Tom Golisano Field House Saturday, November 23, against the Coastal Georgia Mariners. It is the final conference game for the Gyrenes until 2025. AMU and Coastal Georgia are tied for first in the Sun Conference, each winning their first two conference games. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
