Score: Keiser Seahawks 76, Ave Maria Gyrenes 72
Records: Keiser (17-8, 10-4 SUN), Ave Maria (11-14, 7-7 SUN)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Elliana Schaefer (G), Mimmi Hahne (G), Mahiro Oyama (G), Elise Ellison (F), Jasmyn Hale (F)
Ave Maria Starters: Lavariah Armstead (G), Ella Thompson (G), Casey Humphrey (G), Emily Rapacz (F), Colleen Shanahan (F)
In a thrilling conference showdown, the Keiser women's basketball team secured a 76-72 victory over Ave Maria on Saturday afternoon at the Student Life Center. The Seahawks overcame an early deficit, fueled by a dominant second-half performance, to improve to 17-8 overall and 10-4 in Sun Conference play. Elliana Schaefer led the charge with 25 points, knocking down four three-pointers and going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
Post-game, the Seahawks honored Keiser women's basketball over the years with gifts and recognition at center court.
Next up, the Seahawks head to Miami Gardens, Fla., to take on Florida Memorial. Tip-off against the Lions is set for 5:30 PM.
With just 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter,
Elliana Schaefer drained a clutch three-pointer, pushing the Seahawks to a 51-47 lead and shifting the momentum in their favor.
Keiser 9, Ave Maria 14
- Ave Maria surged out of the gate with a dominant 12-0 run, holding the Seahawks scoreless for the first five minutes
- Mimmi Hahne broke the drought for Keiser at the 4:53 mark, sinking a jumper to put the Seahawks on the board
- Keiser closed the first quarter strong with a seven-point burst, cutting the deficit to just five against the Gyrenes
Keiser 33, Ave Maria 35
- Ave Maria kept the momentum going, opening the second quarter with five unanswered points
- Keiser responded with a seven-point run, fueled by baskets from Jasmyn Hale and Aly Avrach
- The teams traded buckets throughout the quarter, and with 1:15 remaining, Elise Ellison drilled a jumper to tie the game at 31
- Just before the buzzer, Ave Maria reclaimed the lead with two clutch free throws, leaving just 0.4 seconds on the clock
Ave Maria 47, Keiser 51
- Elise Ellison knotted the game once again with a layup at the 8:37 mark
- Ave Maria answered with back-to-back buckets, reclaiming a 39-35 lead
- The Gyrenes widened the gap with a three-pointer from Gianna Santacroce
- With 1:47 left in the quarter, Ellison powered through for a layup, bringing the Seahawks within one
- Aly Avrach sank two clutch free throws, followed by a three-pointer from Elliana Schaefer, giving Keiser the lead heading into the fourth
Ave Maria 72, Keiser 76
- Elliana Schaefer caught fire, scoring five straight points to push the Seahawks ahead 56-49
- The Gyrenes responded with a three-pointer, trimming Keiser's lead to five with 7:31 remaining
- Jasmyn Hale extended the Seahawks' cushion with a layup, followed by Schaefer's fourth three-pointer of the night, putting Keiser up 72-65
- Ave Maria stayed in the fight, sinking a three-pointer with just eight seconds left to cut the deficit to two
- Mimmi Hahne sealed the victory for the Seahawks, calmly sinking two free throws to secure the win
- Keiser improved to a 17-8 overall record and 10-4 in conference play, securing their 10th conference victory of the season
- Both teams shot efficiently, with the Seahawks posting a 46% field goal percentage, just shy of Ave Maria's 46.6%
- Keiser dominated the boards, out-rebounding Ave Maria 33-28
- Prior to tip-off, Elliana Schaefer was honored for reaching the 1,000-point milestone last week against Southeastern, becoming just the sixth Seahawk to achieve this feat
- The senior from Castalia, Ohio, delivered another standout performance, dropping 25 points—her third 20+ point game of the season
- Elise Ellison contributed 14 points in the win and made history by breaking Midori Long's career rebound record. With 368 rebounds, Ellison is now Keiser's all-time leader
- Jasmyn Hale had a defensive standout performance, recording a season-high six steals while also adding seven points and seven rebounds
- The Seahawks capitalized on turnovers, converting them into 20 points
- Keiser surged in the fourth quarter, shooting an impressive 60% from the field to close out the game
- Ties: 5
- Lead Changes: 1
- Largest Lead: Keiser (9), Ave Maria (12)
Next up, the Seahawks head to Miami Gardens, Fla., to take on Florida Memorial. Tip-off against the Lions is set for 5:30 PM.
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