AVE MARIA, Fla. - Ave Maria University handed Warner University their fifth straight loss in Sun Conference women's basketball action on Thursday night in the Tom Golisano Field House.  The Lady Royals now stand at 5-11 overall and are 1-6 in league play. 

The Lady Royals led for a time at the start of the game as each side traded blows over the first six minutes.  Mariah Williams put Warner ahead 13-11 with a bucket at the 14:19 mark.  Ave Maria's Jasmine Bateman followed with a three pointer on the Gyrenes' next possession and the home team never trailed the rest of the way.

A 17-4 run by the Gyrenes put the Lady Royals in an 11 point hole at the 8:12 mark.  At the half, the Lady Royals trailed 40-27.

Warner scored the first five points of the second half and held the Gyrenes scoreless for the nearly four minutes to start the half cutting the deficit to nine.  Halfway through the period the Gyrenes were had the largest lead of the game, 56-36. 

The Gyrenes were 50% shooters in the second half while the Lady Royals shot 29% from the field.  I'munique Green made two free throws in the final seconds to end the scoring 74-56 in favor of the Gyrenes.

The Lady Royals were out-rebounded on the night 41-22 by Ave Maria.  Marie Fleurival and I'munique Green led the team in points with 11 each.  Montana Bass was 3-of-7 from behind the arc for nine points in the game.  Sara Poehlman came off the bench and added eight points in 10 minutes of action.

The Lady Royals return home on Saturday, Jan. 24, for a 2 p.m. tip-off with St. Thomas University.