AVE MARIA, Fla. - A furious comeback by the ninth-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles was too little too late as the 24th-ranked Ave Maria Gyrenes picked up their first-ever win over the Blue and Gold while sending the Eagles to their fourth straight loss, 95-89 in Ave Maria on Thursday night. The Eagles, at one time 16-1 and 3-0, stand at 16-5 overall and 3-4 in Sun Conference play while the Gyrenes improve to 16-2 and 4-2 with the victory.

The Eagles trailed by as many as 21 with seven minutes remaining in the game before mounting a three-point inspired comeback to cut the lead to seven at several points, but were unable to get closer before it was too late as the Gyrenes hit most of their free throws down the stretch to seal the upset.

The Eagles grabbed a 5-4 lead on a Daniel Mondragon three-pointer at the 17-minute mark, but that was the last lead the Eagles would see for awhile as the hosts kept pushing the ball in transition and getting easy buckets in the paint.

Ave Maria stretched its lead to eight when Matt Chattin hit a long range jumper with 10:44 remaining in the half, but Mondragon's hot hand from downtown was able to bring Embry-Riddle back to within one point at 29-28.

Daniel Kiesling gave the visitors a one-point advantage with a layup at the 4:26 mark and, after the two squads traded baskets, Jeremiah's Applin's trey gave the Eagles their biggest lead of the night at 37-34.

Leading by one with 60 seconds left, the Eagles saw their lead evaporate and turn into a five-point halftime deficit on a pair of Akii Dean three-pointers, including a banked-in trey with one second on the clock.

Dean, who had made just three treys all season long before Thursday's contest, went 3-for-3 from downtown in the first half as part of a 17-point outburst to lead all scorers.

Mondragon had 14 points for the Eagles who turned the ball over 12 times in the opening frame, leading to 17 Gyrene points.

The first 13-minutes of the second frame proved to be the Blue and Gold's undoing as the Gyrenes' fast-paced style of play forced the Eagles into 10 second-half turnovers.

Ave Maria had steadily increased its lead to double-digits, and a 17-5 run in the middle of the period gave the AMU crowd something to cheer about as the Gyrenes pushed their advantage to 21 at 81-60.

Embry-Riddle was resilient, going on a 17-5 run of their own to cut the lead to single-digits at 86-77, but the Eagles missed key opportunities at the free throw line after coming up with Gyrene turnovers.

The Gyrenes took advantage of being in the bonus during the majority of the second half, finishing the game 29-for-43 from the charity stripe.

Dean finished with a career-high 31 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including four three-pointers and 11-of-16 from the free throw line. Five other players scored for the Gyrenes and all five scored in double-figures.

Ave Maria finished with 32 points off of ERAU's 22 turnovers and owned the fast break battle,16-4.

DeForest Carter poured in 20 points for the visitors while Jason Powell and Mondragon each finished with 18. Embry-Riddle set a season-high with 15 made three-pointers.

The Eagles return to the ICI Center to take on Warner this Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.