LAKE WALES, Fla. — There were no cold streaks Wednesday night for the Ave Maria's Men's Basketball team who got within two points of the century mark against the Warner Royals. The Gyrenes, just four days after going cold against Florida Memorial in the late stages of the game, hung 50 in the second half to win 98-86.
Ave Maria started out hot, racing to a 12-2 lead just minutes into the game. Warner responded with a run of their own and got back to within two possessions of the Gyrenes.
It was a one to two possession game for about eight minutes before Warner took their first lead of the game. The Royals hit four shots in a row to go from down by one to up by eight.
The lead did not last long however as the Gyrenes to back control of the game and went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 38.
The lead changed hands a few more times before the Gyrenes took a three-point lead in the break.
Out of the half, Ave Maria continued to keep the Royals at bay. Warner grabbed one lead in the second half off a three-point shot to take a 56-55 lead. The Gyrenes immediately took it back with a Noryen Lasley layup, which wound up being the last lead change of the game.
The layup was the start of a 14-2 run for the Gyrenes that grew the lead to 13 points. Ave Maria hit three three's in the stretch to get back up by double digits.
The run was the separation the Gyrenes needed as they cruised for the rest of the game, always leading by three or more possessions.
In the final minute of the game, Miles Monchecourt hit a layup to bring the Gyrenes within two of 100, but it was the last shot attempted by Ave Maria.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 4-1 in conference play and 13-4 overall.
Monchecourt led the team in scoring with 21 points. Three other Gyrenes hit double figures with Michael Klekas at 18, Jack Watkins at 17 and Jonathan Effertz at 13. Effertz led the team with three threes's. As a team, the Gyrenes hit 11 shots from downtown.
Ave Maria is back in action Wednesday, January 15, against the Keiser Seahawks. It is a top matchup as the Gyrenes are currently ranked 18th in the country and the Seahawks are ranked No. 21. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
