TEXARKANA, Texas — The Ave Maria Women's Basketball team kicked off the 2026-27 season Friday night, competing in the Eagle Classic hosted by Texas A&M Texarkana. Unfortunately, the Gyrenes fell in the opener, losing to the LSU Shreveport Pilots 69-54.
If the old saying is correct in that the first basket can predict how a season will go, then Gyrenes don't need to worry about this season. Right off the opening tipoff, Parker Straub knocked down the first three-pointer of the season, getting an assist from freshman newcomer Elena Snyder.
The Pilots quickly came back however as LSUS outscored Ave Maria 18-10 in the first quarter. Freshman Mylee Van De Wouw hit a second three-pointer in the quarter for the Gyrenes. The other four points all came from the free throw line.
LSU Shreveport grew their lead to 11 points in the second quarter, but the Gyrenes hunted them down in the final minutes of the frame. Following the bucket that put the margin in double digits, Ave Maria outscored the Pilots 15-4. The final minute saw junior transfer Danigzy Mantilla hit a layup and a free throw to send the game into halftime tied at 28.
With the game still up for grabs and 20 minutes left to play, whoever controlled the third quarter was likely going to win the game. Unfortunately for the Gyrenes, LSU Shreveport outscored them 23-12 in the third frame. The Pilots scored the first six points of the quarter and led by multiple possessions for most of the frame. The lone three-pointer of the quarter from the Gyrenes off the hands of freshman Ava Zucco made it a one point game, but that was as close as the Gyrenes would get.
In the fourth quarter, LSU Shreveport kept it a four-possession game for the entire 10 minutes as the Pilots put away the Gyrenes.
Junior Veteran Ashley Chilson led the team with 22 points, hitting six field goals, one of which was a three-pointer, and going 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. Straub and Van De Wouw were next in scoring, each with eight points.
Chilson also led the Gyrenes on the glass with 14 rebounds, posting her first double-double of the season. Chilson logged six double-doubles last season. Snyder was the next highest rebounder with four.
With the loss, Ave Maria starts the 2026-27 campaign 0-1.
The Gyrenes are back in action Saturday, October 24, for game two of the Eagle Classic. They will face off against the Xavier Gold Rush for the first time in program history. The Gold Rush beat host Texas A&M Texarkana 69-52 Friday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. eastern time and the game will be streamed live on Texas A&M Texarkana's YouTube channel.
