DALTON, Ga. — Saturday was a tough draw for the Ave Maria Men's Basketball team, especially after an emotional overtime win the night before. The 11^th seeded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was the second team in a row the Gyrenes faced in the NAIA National Tournament that had a top 25 defense in the country. Ave Maria had beaten top defenses before, but definitely preferred shootouts over defensive slug fests. Unfortunately, defense won the day on Saturday as the Gyrenes lost to the Pomeroys 89-81.

Ave Maria never led in the game, getting out to a slow start against the Pomeroys. SMWC opened the game with 17-5 run in the first five minutes and cruised from there on out. The Gyrenes only got back within one possessions of the Pomeroys once.

The Gyrenes found a little life towards the end of the half, putting together an 11-5 run that brought them within four points with less than a minute to play in the first half. The Pomeroys hit a bucket and free throw in response to take a seven-point lead into halftime. Despite the deficit being back to three possessions at the break, the Gyrenes still felt they were within reach with 20 minutes left to play.

Out of the half, the Gyrenes continued their hot streak with two threes from Jaylen White and Mark Blaszczyk to get within three of SMWC. However, that was the closest the Gyrenes would get. The Pomeroys responded with a 19-7 run to get the lead back to double digits.

Ave Maria had one final chance in the last two minutes of the game to claw their way back. Ave Maria, specifically Jaylen White, went on an 8-2 run to bring the Gyrenes back within six with a 1:45 left to play. After a SMWC turnover, Jack Watkins connected on a jumper to bring the deficit down to four.

The Gyrenes forced another turnover and took the ball down the court with less than 90 seconds left and a chance to get within one possession. Unfortunately, The Gyrenes missed their shot. The Pomeroys hit a jumper to bring the lead back up to six and then hit five free throws to ice the game.

White led the team with 23 points, one shy of his season high. Three other Gyrenes hit double digits with Miles Monchecourt at 20, Watkins at 13 and Jonathan Effertz with 11. Watkins posted his second double-double of the season, hauling in 10 rebounds. Noryen Lasley led the team with 11 rebounds.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods had some of the best individual performances the Gyrenes faced this season. Their leading scorer, Greg Jenkins, brought home 43 points, 11 more than the previous high the Gyrenes faced. Also, their leading rebounder, Shon Tupuola, had 20 boards, nine offensive and 11 defensive. The previous high Ave Maria faced was 19.

"I thought we took their best shot. Their guard [Jenkins] went crazy tonight. Give them credit. They are super well coached, really disciplined and tough and [Jenkins] played really incredible. That was a performance for the ages," said head coach Jamon Copeland. "We fought [though]…and they just never stopped. Like they have all year. They never stopped competing, they never stopped fighting, never stopped believing in each other."

The second round exit brings an end to the most successful season in Ave Maria basketball history. The Gyrenes won 25 games, two more than their previous record. They scored the most points in a season at 2990, besting last season by 69 points. They hit the second-most threes in school history with 392, had the second-most rebounds at 1269 and the second-most assists with 559.

"That's what I told them in the locker room. I said 'As much as this sucks, as much as this hurts, and trust me, this is brutal, this is not how we wanted the year to end, they got a lot to be proud of too. Best season in school history, [went] 25-7, [finished] number 16 in the country, won the conference, best two-year run in school history with 47 wins, back-to-back NAIA national tournament appearances, back-to-back Round of 32 appearances.' That group is the most fun group I have ever coached. We were together for two years. Those relationships will be lifelong relationships, and that's what we got to remember."

So, the countdown for the 2025-26 season begins now. Unlike last year, the Gyrenes will have some spots to fill with six seniors departing from the roster. However, the Gyrenes will return three of the of their All-Conference players from this season and will look to finally punch that elusive ticket to Kansas City.