Naples Standard

The Ave Maria University women's basketball team pulled off a dramatic comeback win on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Buccaneers of Park University Gilbert, 71-70, at the Turner Athletic Center on the campus of Warner University. The Gyrenes erased a 15-point second half deficit, and guard Abbey Phibbs buried a runner with under one second to play to seal a win in the final game of the calendar year.

For most of the first three quarters, the Gyrenes seemed to have no answers for their opponents from Arizona. The Buccaneers outscored Ave Maria in each of the first three frames, building a 62-49 lead with just ten minutes to play. Park's lead grew as large as 15 points midway through the third quarter, when a layup from Madison Chappell gave the Buccaneers a 55-40 lead, a lead that would remain in double figures until the fourth.

Down by 13 entering the fourth, Ave Maria quickly got themselves back in the game. AMU scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter, led by five points from Allison Fifield, cutting the Park lead down to four. Park's lead remained at one or two possessions for the majority of the fourth quarter, but Ave Maria finally took the lead for the first time in the second half on a Casey Humphrey jumper with 2:21 left. 

Park reclaimed the lead on their next possession, going up 70-69 with 1:53 on clock. After two empty possessions for both teams, Ave Maria got the ball back with ten seconds remaining, down by one. After a missed three-pointer from Fifield, Phibbs chased down the rebound and lofted a runner that found its target, giving AMU a 71-70 lead. Park would turn the ball over on their final effort, ensuring the win for Ave Maria.

Ave Maria's biggest success in the win came in getting to the free throw line. The Gyrenes shot 34 free throws on Saturday, and despite making just 20, still outscored the Buccaneers 20-4 from the charity stripe. AMU's comeback in the fourth quarter saw the Gyrenes commit zero turnovers in the final ten minutes, and grab five offensive rebounds while surrendering none to Park. Ave Maria outscored Park by a 22-8 margin to rally in the fourth.

Allison Fifield had the best game of her collegiate career on Saturday, hitting five three-pointers and scoring a career high 19 points. The freshman narrowly missed out on a double-double, grabbing nine rebounds. The only other Gyrene in double figures was Casey Humphrey, who almost put together a double-double of her own with 18 points and seven assists.

AMU's first game of 2023 will be a crucial one, as the final two unbeaten teams in Sun Conference play face off at Donahue Gym. The Gyrenes, 4-0 in SUN play, will welcome the 5-0 St. Thomas University Bobcats to Ave Maria, with first place in the conference standings on the line. Tipoff of the opening game of the Sun Conference doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Ave Maria. 

Original source can be found here.