WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team led by as many as 12 points on Saturday, but could not knock off one of the top teams in The Sun Conference in a 76-72 loss to the Keiser University Seahawks in West Palm Beach. The Gyrenes looked to be in control for much of the first half, but the hosts were able to rally to pick up a critical conference victory late in the regular season.

Ella Thompson was the focal point for the Gyrenes in the first quarter, as Ave Maria opened up an early lead. Thompson scored eight points in the first five minutes, and Ave Maria had a 12-0 lead five minutes in. After trading scores to move the AMU lead to 14-2 with 3:15 to play, Keiser ended the quarter on a 7-0 run, closing the Gyrene lead to five points at 14-9 after the first ten minutes of play. 

The Gyrenes were able to push their lead back to ten in the first minute of the second quarter, but Keiser came to life before halftime. Although the Seahawks were never able to claim the advantage before the buzzer sounded for halftime, Keiser was able to tie the score on three different occasions. The Gyrenes took a two-point lead into halftime, 35-33, with two free throws from Emily Rapacz with one second to play in the half accounting for the difference.

Keiser turned the game in their favor in the third quarter, outscoring the Gyrenes by an 18-12 margin to take the lead. Down by five points, 45-40, with 3:49 to play in the quarter, the Seahawks ended the quarter on an 11-2 run. Elliana Schaeffer came up with a huge three-pointer on Keiser's final possession, sending the game into the fourth quarter with the Seahawks holding a 51-47 lead over AMU.

Both teams scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, but Keiser never relinquished the lead. The Gyrenes got the lead down to three points in the final 30 seconds, but were never able to rally all the way back. Keiser made enough free throws down the stretch, as the Seahawks kept their hopes for a top three seed in the Sun Conference Tournament alive.

Gianna Santacroce was Ave Maria's leading scorer off the bench, knocking down four three-pointers and finishing with 17 points. Colleen Shanahan added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ella Thompson finished with ten points.

With two games to play in the regular season, the Gyrenes sit at 7-7 in conference play, and have locked themselves into the fifth seed in the upcoming Sun Conference Tournament. AMU will play either Keiser or St. Thomas on the road in the opening round of the conference tournament. The Gyrenes' preparation for the conference tournament begins Wednesday in a potential preview, as AMU heads across the state for a meeting with St. Thomas, set for 5:30 p.m. in Miami Gardens.