Head Coach Bob Batson and the Lady Gyrenes took care of business last week against Sun Conference opponents. On Friday, AMU defeated Webber International University 87-72. Then, on Saturday AMU brought down Edward Waters College 61-53. Ave Maria has now won 5 or their last 6 games.

The recent wins put the Lady Gyrenes at the 4th spot in The Sun Conference behind Florida Memorial University, St. Thomas University, and conference leader Northwood University. AMU holds a 4-3 TSC record and 12-9 overall record.

Friday's 87-72 win over Webber International University was huge to say the least. The Lady Gyrenes scored more than 80 points for the third game in a row!

AMU had to battle in the post with the presence of Webber International's Nikkie King in the paint. King, who is one of the most dominant post players in the conference led Webber with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Despite King's efforts in the paint, AMU was able to outrebound the Warriors 40 to 22.

Sophomore Carey Fullilove had a season high 20 points against the Warriors. She was excellent at the line going 11 for 12. She shot 4 of 9 from the field, and drained her only three-point attempt. She collected 6 boards with a steal and a team leading 5 assists in the game. Freshman Emily Huber had a similar night for AMU. She scored 15 points with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and led with 5 assists as well.

Mimi Loveland scored 13 points in twenty minutes of action. She controlled the paint with fellow teammate Amy Myler who had an exceptional game. Myler did it all versus the Warriors, and recorded her first double-double of the season. She went 5 of 9 shooting, and 1 of 1 behind the arc to score 12 total points. Myler led AMU with 10 rebounds; 8 of which came on offense. Myler handed out 3 assists, blocked a shot, and made 2 steals.

Major offensive threat, Erika Derks has scored double-digits in more than 10 games this season. Versus Webber, Derks scored 12 with 4 assists and a steal. Sandy Jenkins had 8 points with 5 rebounds. Jenkins led AMU with 2 blocks, and had an assist and a steal. Saira Morgan had 4 points with an impressive 8 rebounds. Morgan had 2 assists and a block.

After the win against Webber, AMU came back Saturday to beat Edward Waters College. The Lady Gyrenes limited the EWC Tigers to just 15 points in the first half. The score was 30-15 going into halftime. Ave Maria's rebound success continued from their previous game as they outrebounded Edward Waters 50 to 26.

Erika Derks led AMU's offensive attack with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Emily Huber played the entire game for the second game in a row and scored 11. Huber grabbed 8 boards to compliment her 4 assists and 4 steals.

Senior forward Saira Morgan punched in with 8 points, 9 rebounds and a blocked shot. Morgan had a combined 17 total rebounds in the last two games. Teammate Sandy Jenkins, who had 2 blocks in the previous game, added another 2 blocks against the Tigers.

Carey Fullilove had another good game on offense with 9 points, 2 assists and a blocked shot. Fullilove is a combined 20-24 at the free throw line in the last two games.

Edward Waters College's Marquinta Ridgel led a solid second half for the Tigers with 13 total points on the night. Ridgel's teammate Ashley Hamn added 10 points of her own but the Lady Gyrenes were strong enough down the stretch to claim another victory.

Ave Maria's next home game is on Thursday, January 28th against NCAA Division II opponent Palm Beach Atlantic University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Donahue Academy Gymnasium. GO GYRENES!