The Ave Maria University men's basketball team picked up a quality win on Sunday afternoon, defeating West Virginia Tech by a 91-78 score on the final day of "The Show" in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Gyrenes had one of their best shooting days in recent memory to down the Bears, who entered the game receiving votes in the newest edition of the NAIA Coaches' Poll.
The first half was the polar opposite of the first half from Saturday's game, as the two teams combined for 86 points in the opening 20 minutes. The Gyrenes were especially hot in the first half, making eight of ten three-point attempts and 15 of 24 total field goals. West Virginia Tech wasn't quite as hot, but still shot 46.9 percent from the field (15 for 32), and made seven of their 13 three-point attempts.
The game stayed close throughout the frame, with a seven point AMU lead being the largest of the half before the Gyrenes took a 45-41 lead into the break.
Ave Maria did not let up on the momentum in the second half, as the Gyrenes continued their torrid shooting while limiting the chances for the Bears. West Virginia Tech got as close as two points, but the Gyrenes never relinquished the lead in their sixth win of the season. AMU's total shooting percentage actually went up in the final 20 minutes, with 16 of the Gyrenes' 25 shots falling. WVU Tech was held to a 37.5 mark from the field in the second half, and missed 13 of their 18 three-point tries.
In total, the Gyrenes shot 63.3 percent from the field, the eighth best single-game total in the history of the program. Ave Maria also hit 13 of their 19 three-point attempts, good for a percentage of 68.4 that ranks fourth in school history. AMU also outrebounded the Bears in the victory, pulling down 37 rebounds to just 28 for West Virginia Tech, who concluded the game shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three-point territory.
Matt Gillis had a career day in the victory, scoring a career-high 33 points. The senior made 13 of his 18 shots, including knocking down four of six attempts from long distance. Michael Klekas added 19 points and a team-best six rebounds, while Miles Monchecourt rounded out AMU's trio in double figures with 17 points. Monchecourt's output came on just six shots, as the sophomore made all four of his three-point attempts and five of his six shots total.
AMU's two games in Kingsport marked the beginning of a six-game roadtrip that will take the Gyrenes through the end of the calendar year. The Gyrenes will have nearly two weeks between games, with the next game on the schedule slated for December 10. On that Saturday, AMU will head north to the panhandle of Florida for a meeting with Pensacola Christian College. The Gyrenes have played at PCC in each of the past four seasons, winning each time. Tipoff from Pensacola is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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