AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Ave Maria Women's Basketball team got off to a really hot start Saturday afternoon against Keiser but could not keep the pressure up as the Gyrenes fell to the Seahawks 62-49.
Before the game, the Gyrenes honored their eight seniors and thanked them for their service to Ave Maria Athletics.
A Gabby Beauperthuy bucket in the paint got the Gyrenes going early in the first quarter. Keiser traded a bucket in the following possession. With 6:07 left in the period, a Beauperthuy layup started a 6-0 run. Elena Barnes added two finishes of her own to the run. Keiser responded to the run with a deep three, making the score 8-6. A few possessions later, Ashley Chilson connected from behind the arc. Keiser answered once again with a three. A successful free throw line trip from Tiffany Le and a late basket from Beauperthuy gave the Gyrenes a 15-10 lead to end the first.
The Gyrene came out of the break on fire, as they started the second with a 10-0 run. Early in the second quarter, Chilson found her way driving into the lane and finishing through contact. She was able to knock down her free throw. In the next offensive possession Cortney Smith swished a three-pointer in transition. Barnes knocked down jump shot and Beauperthuy knocked down two free throws to put the Gyrenes up 15. With 5:40 left in the frame, a Keiser basket ended the Gyrene run. Keiser went on to start a run of their own. Multiple Seahawks contributed to a 15-2 run that cut the Gyrene lead to 27-25 with just over a minute left in the half. Chilson was able to respond for the Gyrenes with a midrange jumper. A late Barnes three pointer extended the Gyrene lead to 32-25 as the teams made their way into halftime.
Keiser started the second half with a fire on the defensive end. Their defensive efforts sparked an 8-1 run, tying the Gyrenes 33-33. With 5:32 left in the third. A Seahawk layup gave Keiser the lead 35-33, for the first time since the opening frame. Keiser converted on many different offen2sive looks in the half-court. Keiser outscored the Gyrenes 21-7, giving the Seahawks a 46-39 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Seahawks continued their offensive success, starting the quarter with a 5-0 run. With 6:44 left in the third, Beauperthuy connect from behind the arc to end the Seahawk run. In the following possession, Chilson was able to find Madelyn Laird in the short corner, cutting the Seahawk lead 51-44. Keiser answered back with a bucket of their own. Beauperthuy knocked down another three late in the quarter. Keiser finished the game scoring in a few possessions, with the final score 62-49.
The Gyrenes has three double-digit scorers. Beauperthuy led the Gyrenes with 19 points, Chilson recorded 12 points and Barnes had 11 points.
The loss Saturday brings the Ave Maria Women's Basketball team to 9-10 overall and 6-7 in the SUN Conference.
The Gyrenes are back in action Wednesday, February 18, for their final home game of the regular season as the St. Thomas Bobcats come to town. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
