AVE MARIA, Fla. – The final 30 minutes between the Gyrenes and the Bobcats was pretty tight contest. Unfortunately for the Ave Maria Women's Basketball team, the first 10 minutes counted and the Gyrenes had a tough time digging out of a hole as they fell to St. Thomas 79-45.

The quarter started with a quick bucket in the first Bobcat possession. Tiffany Le found her way in the paint and made a layup to put the Gyrenes on the board. Both teams traded 2 points within the following possessions. With 8:05 left in the period, a Bobcat three pointer started a 10-0 run. Four minutes later Elena Barnes was able to answer for the Gyrenes with a bucket inside the lane. Saint Thomas continued to find ways to knock down shots, finishing the quarter on a 15-4 run. The Bobcats finished the period with a 29-10 lead.

The Bobcat offensive surge calmed down in the second frame. With 7:19 left in the period, a free throw from Le served as the first point scored by either team. The Bobcats scored in back-to-back possessions shortly after. An Ashley Chilson layup started a 6-0 Gyrene run in response. Parker Straub added a free throw, and Cortney Smith knocked down a three-pointer during the run. The Bobcats responded with a basket inside the paint. Both teams traded trips to the free throw line. Barnes and Smith botch connected from behind the arc late in the period. A half court buzzer-beater from Saint Thomas sent the Bobcats into the locker room with a 46-24 lead.

Coming out of half, both teams traded opportunities in the half-court. With 6:50 left in the period, Chilson knocked down a three from the wing that started a 7-0 run. Le contributed to the run, adding tough finish in the lane and two free throws. With 3:03 left in the period. Beauperthuy found an open Straub, who swished a deep three. The frame ended as both teams traded multiple trips to the foul line. The Bobcats remained with a 64-39 heading into the final ten minutes. The Bobcats outscored the Gyrenes 15-6 in the final frame. Barnes added her second three of the game late in the period.

Barnes was the only double-digit scorer for the Gyrenes with 11 points. Le added 8 points and Chilson added 7 points.

This loss Wednesday brings the Gyrenes to 10-11 and 7-8 in the SUN Conference. In Babson Park, Coastal Georgia beat Webber 73-67 to improve to 8-7 and drop the Warriors to 7-8. The Mariners move up to fifth place while the Gyrenes and Warriors remain tied for sixth place. For the Gyrenes to clinch their spot in the postseason, Ave Maria needs to win on Saturday and needs Webber to lose to Warner. If both teams finish with the exact same record, then the Gyrenes will be on the outside looking in on the Sun Conference tournament.

Standing in the way of the Gyrenes from clinching their 10^th straight postseason bid is the Southeastern Fire. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.