The Ave Maria Men's Basketball team celebrated a historic night as they achieved their 20th win of the season, defeating New College of Florida 102-62. This victory marks the fastest any team in school history has reached 20 wins in just 22 games. Jonathan Effertz tied the program's career three-point record, hitting a total of 269, matching Lucas Uzdavinis. The Gyrenes improved their ranking to number four in the NAIA Top 25 poll, their highest ever. Coach Jamon Copeland highlighted the impact of their pressure defense in securing the win.

By the Numbers
  • Ave Maria improved to 20-2 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
  • The team surpassed the previous record of 24 games to reach 20 wins in a season.
State of Play
  • The Gyrenes are currently ranked fourth in the NAIA Top 25 poll.
  • They have a 1.5 game lead over second place Keiser Seahawks in conference standings.
What's Next

Ave Maria will host the Florida Memorial Lions on Saturday, January 31. In their previous encounter, the Gyrenes won decisively with a score of 90-75. This game is part of a three-game homestand.

Bottom Line

The Gyrenes’ combination of defensive pressure and efficient scoring led to a dominant victory, signaling their potential as a serious contender in the ongoing season.