BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The Ave Maria Men's Basketball team became the first team to clinch a spot in the Sun Conference tournament, beating the Coastal Georgia Mariners 86-74. Half of the Gyrenes' baskets Wednesday night were from three point range, tying a season high.
It took a little bit longer than usual for the Gyrenes to get going, only scoring 19 points in the first 10 minutes of the game, but a late 13-2 run with two three-pointers and a Jack Watkins dunk got the Gyrenes in their groove. The run started with both teams tied at 24 and it was the last time Coastal Georgia would be even with the Gyrenes. Ave Maria took a 37-28 lead into halftime.
The Mariners got the opening basket of the second half, but then the Gyrenes took over. In just 51 seconds, Ave Maria went on an 8-0 run, complete with two steals and another turnover that led to layups from Nick Filchner and Noryen Lasley. The run pushed Ave Maria's lead from seven to 15 points and the Gyrenes led by double digits for the rest of the game.
Ave Maria had another big stretch towards the halfway point of the second frame, going on a 10-0 run. This run featured three pointers form Michael Klekas and Jaylen White.
Minutes later, Ave Maria hit their biggest lead of the night with a three-pointer from Klekas to get up by 23.
Ave Maria cruised through the rest of the game, hitting tow more threes to win 86-74.
White and Miles Monchecourt tied for the team lead in scoring, each with 15 points. Three other players hit double digits with Klekas and Lasley at 13 and Watkins at 12. White, Monchecourt, Klekas and Jonathan Effertz all tied for the lead from downtown with three trifectas. As a team, the Gyrenes hit 14 three-pointers, bringing their season total to 290. Of Ave Maria's 28 field goals Wednesday, half of them were from three-point range, tying a season high they set in their loss to Florida Memorial on January 4.
With the win, the Gyrenes improve to 19-5 overall and 10-2 in conference play. The Gyrenes remain in first place in the Sun Conference and are also the first team to clinch a spot in the conference tournament.
The Gyrenes are back home Saturday for their next game, taking on the Warner Royals. The Gyrenes got within two points of triple digits the last time they played Warner, beating the Royals 98-86 in Lake Wales. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
