Score: Keiser 79, Ave Maria University 72
Records: Keiser (3-6, 1-2 TSC), Ave Maria (6-3, 1-2 TSC)
Location: Tom Golisano Field House, Ave Maria, Fla.
KU Starters: Radulovic (G), Fisher (G), Orlic (F), Gedeon (F), Matic (F)
Ave Maria Starters: Bates (G), Behrend (G), Riccio (G), Steel (G), Brankov (C)

Keiser Highlights

• CJ Fisher netted a new career-high of 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and also added four rebounds and two assists in the full 40 minutes played.
• Andrija Matic contributed 20 points to go along with six rebounds as one of five Seahawks in double-figure scoring.
• Marko Radulovic had 15 points and a game-high ten rebounds for the double-double.
• Aaron Gedeon produced 12 points and five rebounds, while Marko Orlic had a well-rounded stat line of ten points, eight rebounds, a team-high four assists, and two blocks.

 
Turning Point
A Radulovic three pointer with just 1:04 left to play put the Seahawks in front 74-72, and the defense produced stops down the stretch to maintain the lead until the final horn.
 
How it Happened

• The teams played to a 7-7 score with 17:47 on the clock, then the Gyrenes scored the next five points to make it a two possession game, 12-7.
• After the teams both produced scores to put the score at 14-9, KU responded with an 8-0 run, both started and capped off by Gedeon layups to go ahead 17-14 with 14:31 on the clock.
• Ave Maria hit a triple to tie it up at 17-17 seconds later, but the Seahawk momentum continued with seven unanswered points to grab KU's largest lead of the game, 24-17, after a three from Fisher with 10:54 on the clock.
• A Matic slam on a nice dish from Ryan Kroll quieted the crowd after a Gyrene three-pointer, but a 26-20 Seahawk lead turned into a 34-26 deficit with 4:26 on the clock after the hosts produced 14 consecutive points.
• The Ave Maria lead grew to double-digits at 40-30 as the first half winded down, and Gedeon's free throw with 1:46 left was the final tally, as the teams went into the break, 40-31.
• The Seahawks scored the first five points out of the locker room to draw within two-possessions, 40-36, just 1:50 into half two.
• After an even 6-6 stretch of play made it 46-42, KU tied it up at 46-46 with 14:18 on the clock after a four-point play from Orlic with a straight-ahead three pointer and the foul.
• When knotted up at 50-50 moments later, the Gyrenes went on a 5-0 spurt to gain the two-possession advantage once again with 12:12 on the clock.
• That small separation was quickly nullified by six straight Seahawk points that made it 56-55 with 9:48 to play, KU's first lead since the 7:55 mark of the opening half.
• Once again however the Gyrenes established a bit of a cushion, 64-59, after a 9-3 run with 6:30 left in the contest.
• The back-and-forth affair continued, as Matic sank two free-throws to put the Seahawks in front once again, 67-66, with 3:40 remaining.
• The lead proceeded to change hands five times before Radulovic hit a crucial three-pointer to make the score 74-72 in favor of Keiser with just 1:04 left in the game.
• The Seahawks bore down on the defensive end from that point forward to hold the Gyrenes scoreless down the stretch, and Radulovic converted on 5-of-6 attempts from the free-throw line after intentional fouls to seal the 79-72 victory.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Keiser outscored Ave Maria 48-32 in the final 20 minutes of play, with the 48 points being the Seahawks' highest scoring half of the season.
• Radulovic notched his fourth double-double of the season in the first eight games played, and had the team's final eight points in the game.
• Keiser outscored the Gyrenes 36-26 in the paint.
• The Seahawks held the 40-30 rebounding advantage, which helped limit Ave Maria's second chances while creating 11 second chance points on the offensive end.

Game Notes

• The Seahawk win was the ninth consecutive KU victory over Ave Maria, and the Seahawks improved their all-time record against the Gyrenes to 18-1.
• Keiser earned its opening Sun Conference win of the 2018-2019 season.
• Fisher set a new career-high on the night with 20 points.

 
Coach's Corner
Head Coach Bob Starkman said, "The players were able to close out the game by playing tough defense and executing our offense for most of the game…In advance of the matchup with Southeastern, we have to continue to grow as a unit, and our mindsets have to be those of warriors. They are a good team, and we have to compete."


Ties: 10
Lead Changes: 14
Largest Lead: Keiser (7), Ave Maria (10)
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Fisher, Matic (20)
Rebounds: Radulovic (10)
Assists: Orlic (4)
 
Ave Maria
Points: Gianpaolo (29)
Rebounds: Behrend (8)
Assists: Bates (10)
 
Up Next
Keiser (3-6, 1-2 TSC) will prepare for the next Sun Conference challenge, when the Seahawks host No. 11 Southeastern (6-1, 3-0 TSC) on Saturday, December 1 at 4:00 p.m.