LAKE WALES, Fla. — The Ave Maria Women's Basketball team got their first win of 2025 Wednesday taking down the Warner Royals 85-53. The Gyrenes never trailed after the first quarter and led by double digits over 30 minutes in the game.

Ave Maria closed out the first quarter strong which allowed them to play fast and loose for the rest of the game. In the final minute and a half of the frame, the Gyrenes went on a 11-0 run to increase their lead from two to 13 points. The stretch featured three three-pointers from Lavariah Armstead, Katie Ambrose, and Emily Rapacz. AMU finished the quarter 5-for-7 from downtown.

Ave Maria clamped down defensively in the second quarter, only allowing four made baskets from the Royals. The Gyrenes doubled up the number and eight good field goals of their own and took a 45-26 lead into the break.

The third quarter was the closest frame of the game with Ave Maria only growing their lead by three points. Again, the Gyrenes doubled up the Royals in made field goals, but Warner hit all six of their free throws to keep up in the quarter.

Ave Maria flexed their muscles again in the fourth quarter outscoring the Royals by 10 points. The Gyrenes hit their largest lead of the night in the fourth when Tiffany Le hit a layup to make the score 78-42. The Gyrenes cruised for the remainder of the game, scoring seven more points to get up to 85.

It is the fourth highest scoring game of the season for the Gyrenes.

The win improves the Gyrenes to 3-2 in conference play and 7-9 overall.

Armstead led the team in scoring with 15 points. Two other Gyrenes hit double figures with Colleen Shanahan at 12 and Ambrose at 11. Shanahan also led the team with 12 rebounds, recording her fifth double-double in a row.

The Gyrenes are back in action Wednesday, January 15, against the Keiser Seahawks. It is their first home game of the new year. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.