BRADENTON, Fla. — The Ave Maria Women's Basketball team won their first conference game Wednesday evening, taking down the New College of Florida Mighty Banyans 65-62. The Gyrenes took the lead early in the fourth quarter thanks to three big baskets from Elena Barnes and held on to win.
The game opened rather slowly with New College taking a 10-9 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. At 19 combined points, it is the lowest scoring quarter of the season for the Gyrenes. Gabby Beauperthuy led the team with five points, hitting two shots from the floor. On the defensive side, Ave Maria forced six turnovers from the Mighty Banyans.
In the second quarter, scoring was just as tight with 25 combined points between the two teams. This time however, it was Ave Maria leading the charge, outscoring NCF 16-9. The quarter featured an 11-0 run from Ave Maria, consisting of a three-pointer from freshman Sarah Beaulieu and jumpers from Ashley Chilson and Barnes. Heading into the break, Ave Maria found themselves on top 25-19.
The two teams finally woke up in the third quarter and more than doubled the score in the first half in just 10 minutes. New College won the frame 27-22, going on a big 12-0 run to start the quarter. The run propelled the Mighty Banyans into the lead, but one that did not last long. The Gyrenes battled back and a last second layup from Beauperthuy gave AMU a one-point lead heading into the final frame.
New College took the lead two more times to start the fourth quarter, but then Barnes went on a 7-point run of her own to put the Gyrenes out of reach of the Mighty Banyans. Chilson hit a jumper as well to cap off a 9-0 run for the team. Ave Maria held on for the final five minutes for the game to secure the win.
Chilson led the team in scoring with 17 points. She is joined by three other Gyrenes in double digits with Beauperthuy logging 13 and Giavanna Rogers and Barnes each hitting 11. Rogers led the team from behind the arc, knocking down three three-pointers. Beauperthuy led the team in rebounding with seven.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. It is also the first Sun Conference win under new head coach Jelani Akil.
The Gyrenes are back on the road Saturday as they begin a two-game road trip through the Peach State. The first stop is their final conference game of the calendar year as they take on the Coastal Georgia Mariners. Then, it is off to Thomasville for a Monday non-conference game against former Sun Conference rival Thomas.
Tipoff against the Mariners is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
