MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team went ice cold in the final eleven minutes of a conference game on Saturday, and dropped a 69-63 decision to the Lions of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. Ave Maria made just one field goal in the final 11:51 of the contest, allowing Florida Memorial to finish the game on a 22-5 run and deal the Gyrenes their first loss in Sun Conference play. 

The Gyrene offense was rolling early, as Ave Maria led by as many as 12 points in the first half. Ave Maria knocked down eight three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, including two each from Noryen Lasley and Jonathan Effertz. AMU was moving the ball well, recording an assist on 15 of their 17 field goals. The Gyrenes had 12-point leads of 35-23 and 39-27, and eventually took a 42-33 lead into the halftime break.

There was seemingly a lid put on the basket in the second half, as the Gyrenes made just seven of 24 field goal attempts and four of 18 three-point attempts in the final 20 minutes. Ave Maria led by 13, 53-40, with 14:51 to play, but watched as Florida Memorial ended the game on a 29-10 run to claim the win. The Gyrene defense did enough in the final six minutes to win, holding the Lions to just one made field goal, but could not get enough makes of their own to remain unbeaten in conference play.

Lasley was Ave Maria's leading scorer in the losing effort, as the forward ended the game with 16 points. He was one of three Gyrenes in double figures, with Effertz adding 11 points and Nick Filchner chipping in ten. AMU's ball movement continued to be notable, as Ave Maria finished the game with 21 assists on 24 field goals, led by seven assists from Jaylen White. White was also Ave Maria's leading rebounder in 21 minutes off the bench, pulling down five.

The Gyrenes will look to remain among the top teams in the Sun Conference on Wednesday, when Ave Maria heads to Lake Wales for a meeting with Warner University. Warner is 1-2 in conference play, defeating Florida Memorial and losing to Coastal Georgia and Keiser, who currently sits as the lone undefeated team in the Sun Conference. Tipoff between the Gyrenes and Royals is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Turner Athletic Center.