AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's basketball team could not get enough shots to fall on Saturday afternoon, and dropped a 68-66 decision to the Warner University Royals at the Tom Golisano Field House. The Gyrenes jumped out to an early lead, but a cold shooting day from long distance allowed the visitors from Lake Wales to leave Southwest Florida with a victory.

The Gyrenes started fast on Saturday, and seemed to be in control early on. Ave Maria raced out to an 11-2 lead in the first three and a half minutes, powered by eight early points from senior Colleen Shanahan. That nine-point lead proved to be the biggest of the game for either team, as Warner was able to end the quarter on a 10-6 run. Despite the shrinking lead, AMU held a 17-12 lead at the conclusion of the opening frame.

After stopping Ave Maria's early momentum in the first quarter, Warner continued to battle back in the second. The Royals scored the first five points of the frame to tie the score, then took their first lead of the game on a Courtney Logan three-pointer, going up 22-21 with 4:54 to play in the half. Ave took the lead back on an Emily Rapacz layup, but a Kalyah Watson layup put Warner ahead for the remainder of the half, taking a 33-31 lead into the halftime break. 

The game remained close for the entirety of the third quarter, with neither team leading by more than four points. The lead changed hands four times in the frame, with Warner holding the lead at the end of the quarter thanks to the final five points. After taking a 44-42 lead with 2:28 to play in the quarter, Ave Maria was held scoreless for the remainder, allowing the Royals to take a 47-44 lead into the fourth. 

Warner never trailed in the fourth quarter, building their lead to nine points with 6:34 to go. However, Ave Maria did make it interesting in the closing seconds, trimming a seven-point Warner lead with 1:33 to go down to one possession. AMU had a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds left and a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but both chances missed the mark to give the Royals the victory. 

Shanahan continued her productive play as of late, finishing with 22 points and 18 rebounds. Lavariah Armstead added 17 points, while Ella Thompson chipped in with ten. The Gyrenes were hurt by the three-ball in the loss, missing all eleven of their attempts while Warner made seven of 12 tries.

Ave Maria will have a full week to prepare for their next contest, a battle with the Seahawks of Keiser University next Saturday in West Palm Beach. The Gyrenes could clinch a postseason berth midweek, as a St. Thomas win over Warner on Wednesday would ensure AMU a spot in the top six in the conference and a trip to The Sun Conference Tournament.