Next Game:
New College
11/20/2024 | 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 (Wed) / 5:30 p.m.
New College
History
BABSON PARK, Fla. — On Saturday afternoon, the Ave Maria Women’s Basketball team displayed remarkable tenacity as they battled back from a double-digit deficit against the Webber Warriors. Despite their spirited comeback, the Gyrenes encountered a scoring drought in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, ultimately leading to a narrow defeat with a final score of 67-64.
The opening frame of the conference opener proved challenging for the Gyrenes, who struggled offensively, shooting only 2-for-15 from the floor. Talia Pellegrini contributed a crucial three-pointer and Colleen Shanahan added a layup. Conversely, their opponents, the Webber Warriors, found success, sinking seven shots including four from beyond the arc. Although the Gyrenes faced difficulties in scoring, they capitalized on Webber’s eight team fouls in the quarter, resulting in six successful free throws. Consequently, the score stood at 20-11 in favor of Webber after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Ave Maria’s offense began to find its rhythm, successfully making seven baskets and adding six more from the free-throw line, totaling 20 points by halftime. This offensive surge contrasted with Webber’s 17 points, allowing the Gyrenes to produce a stronger performance, yet they entered the break trailing 37-31.
<pThe third quarter marked a turning point for Ave Maria, as they decisively outscored Webber 17-9 to reclaim the lead. The Gyrenes hit seven additional shots, with Ella Thompson making a pivotal layup four minutes into the quarter, giving Ave Maria their first lead since the beginning of the game. Shortly thereafter, Thompson's second three-pointer extended the Gyrenes' lead to five points, marking their largest advantage of the night. The third quarter concluded with Ave Maria ahead 48-46.
The final quarter was an intense back-and-forth contest, with both teams trading leads. Webber regained the upper hand about three minutes in and managed to maintain this edge. However, the Gyrenes showcased their resilience, regaining the advantage with Lavariah Armstead’s three-pointer, bringing the score to 62-61 in their favor.
Regrettably, Ave Maria could not fully exploit this momentum as they struggled offensively, connecting on just 1-for-5 shooting in the last three minutes. Trailing by three points with the shot clock turned off, the Gyrenes encountered a critical opportunity to tie the game but were unable to convert, allowing the Warriors to run out the clock and secure the victory.
This loss leaves Ave Maria with a record of 1-2 for the season and 0-1 in conference play.
Individually, Lavariah Armstead stood out with a team-leading 17 points, alongside impressive contributions of nine rebounds and three steals. Casey Humphrey also made her mark, being the only other Gyrene in double figures with 11 points.
Ave Maria will return to their home court for their next two games as they continue their conference season. The Gyrenes are set to face off against the New College of Florida Mighty Banyans on Wednesday, November 20, marking the first-ever meeting between these two teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and fans can catch all the action live on the Sun Digital Network.
– How does Coach Garcia plan to address the scoring drought in high-pressure situations during practice leading up to the game against New College?
**Interview with Coach Emily Garcia of the Ave Maria Women’s Basketball Team**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Garcia. Let’s dive into the recent game against the Webber Warriors. Your team showed incredible resilience after facing a double-digit deficit. What do you think contributed to that comeback?
**Coach Garcia:** Thank you for having me. I believe our team’s grit and determination played a vital role in our comeback. We talked at halftime about staying focused and adjusting our strategy, especially offensively. The players executed that beautifully in the second half, which gave us momentum and the confidence to push through.
**Editor:** Speaking of that second half, you outscored Webber 17-9 in the third quarter. What changes did you implement that helped spark such a strong performance?
**Coach Garcia:** We focused on better ball movement and making smarter decisions, particularly in our shot selection. We challenged the girls to take advantage of their mismatches, and they responded well. Ella Thompson’s efforts, especially her pivotal baskets, really energized the team, and I think that made a significant difference.
**Editor:** However, it sounds like your team faced challenges in the final moments of the game. What do you think led to the scoring drought in the last three minutes?
**Coach Garcia:** It’s tough to pinpoint one reason. I think we struggled with some late-game nerves and perhaps the pressure of trying to reclaim the lead. We also faced a strong defensive effort from Webber during that stretch. It’s something we’ll need to work on in practice—closing games out is just as important as the comeback itself.
**Editor:** Looking ahead to your next game against New College on November 20th, what are you focusing on in practice to prepare?
**Coach Garcia:** We’re going to emphasize staying composed in high-pressure situations. We’ll also concentrate on our offensive flow and defensive strategies. New College is a strong opponent, and we’ll need to show up ready to give our best performance. It’s crucial that we build on the positives from the last game while addressing our shortcomings.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Garcia. Best of luck in your upcoming game!
**Coach Garcia:** Thank you! I appreciate your support and hope to see the community come out for the game.