HIALEAH, Fla. — The Ave Maria Women's Basketball team got their first win of the season and under new head coach Jelani Akil Wednesday evening as they took down the Florida National Conquistadors 84-61. The Gyrenes led the Conquistadors for over 35 minutes, taking the lead in the first quarter and never giving it back.
Florida National started off hot, hitting the opening basket of the game and getting out to a seven-point lead. That did not deter the Gyrenes though, who ripped off a 17-1 run and surged in front of the Conquistadors. The run started with back-to-back three pointers from freshman Parker Straub. After an FNU free throw gave the Conquistadors a two-point cushion, Elena Barnes snatched the lead with Ave Maria's third three-pointer of the quarter, putting the Gyrenes on top 11-10. Ave Maria never trailed for the remainder of the game.
Straub hit one more three-pointer during the run, finishing the quarter with three triples.
The second quarter was even between the two teams, each scoring 16 points. Barnes led the team in the frame with six points while Amelia Benjamin was right behind her with five. Ave Maria took a 43-31 lead into the break.
Ave Maria extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Florida National 18-11. Ashley Chilson led the team in scoring in the third, connecting on four shots for eight points.
The Gyrenes grew their lead once again in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Conquistadors 23-19. AMU hit their largest lead of the night in the fourth quarter, going up by 28 points after Straub hit her fifth three-pointer of the night. When the final buzzer sounded, Ave Maria walked off the court with a comfy 23-point win and their first victory of the new season.
Chilson led the team in scoring with 22 points, a new career high. Straub was second on the team with 18 points, hitting five three-pointers in the game. Barnes and Benjamin were also in double figures with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Barnes led the team in rebounds with 11, recording her first double-double of the season. Chilson also had a double-double with 10 rebounds.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 1-2 and gets their first win under new head coach Jelani Akil.
The Gyrenes will take over two weeks off as they prepare for a scrimmage against their neighbor in Southwest Florida, NCAA Division I Florida Gulf Coast. The game is slated for November 13 with tip-off at 7 p.m.
The next game that will count for the Gyrenes is their home opener against the Webber Warriors on November 15. That will also be Ave Maria's first Sun Conference game.
