No. 20 Embry-Riddle (23-6, 12-5) def. Ave Maria (11-17, 5-12) 1st 2nd Final Ave Maria 16 34 50 Embry-Riddle 28 29 57 Stats at a Glance AMU ERAU FG Percentage 17-44 (.386) 15-35 (.429) 3PT FG Percentage 2-12 (.167) 5-17 (.294) FT Percentage 14-18 (.778) 22-26 (.846) Offensive Rebounds 10 8 Defensive Rebounds 14 19 Total Rebounds 24 27 Assists 9 12 Turnovers 13 17 Steals 6 6 Blocks 0 2 Statistical Leaders AMU ERAU Points Chattin - 15 Carter - 13 Pastrana - 13 Rebounds Bonner - 9 Pastrana - 7 Assists Russo - 3 Carter - 5 Steals Bonner - 2 Carter - 2 Blocks Kiesling - 2 Related Links • Boxscore • Season Stats

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The 20th-ranked Embry-Riddle men's baketball team sprinted out to an early lead over Ave Maria on Wednesday night, withstanding a second half comeback attempt by the Gyrenes to claim the final regular season home contest of 2013-14, 57-50. The Eagles (23-6, 12-5) led by as many as 17 early in the second period, but had to hold on for a seven-point victory after Ave Maria (11-17, 5-12) cut the lead to as few as six. The Blue and Gold hit just 15 field goals on the night, but enjoyed a 22-for-26 clip at the charity stripe and held its fifth opponent to 50 points or less.

Embry-Riddle set the tone early, connecting on its first four shots for an 11-3 lead. Dalton Barnes, DeForest Carter and Reed Ridder all hit triples in the first four minutes for ERAU.

Jason Powell's jumper with 14:24 left in the first made it 15-5 in favor of the hosts, but Ave Maria was able to trim the lead to 16-11 on a Joseph Guernsey put-back with 11:20 on the clock.

After Cesar Pastrana made good on his only field goal of the game, Powell was fouled attempting a trey and the junior went a perfect 3-for-3 from the line to give Embry-Riddle a 21-11 advantage.

The Eagles held AMU to just 16 first half points, including just five over the final 11 minutes of the period as Embry-Riddle took a 28-16 cushion into the lockerroom.

The home team built on its solid first half in the opening moments of the second, taking a 12-point lead and growing it to 17 when Rico Saldana made a free throw with 15:30 left in regulation.

The Gyrenes got back into the game with a quick 7-0 spurt helped by seven consecutive fouls called on Embry-Riddle. Ave Maria pulled to within 37-29 when Wendell Powell went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe with just under 12 minutes left, and two possessions later a Matt Chattin three cut the ERAU lead to 39-32.

Embry-Riddle got five straight free throws for a 46-34 cushion with eight minutes left, but again the Gyrenes rallied and a Wendell Powell layup with 4:39 remaining brought Ave Maria within six at 47-41.

Pastrana converted two free throws before a big defensive stop by the Embry-Riddle defense lead to Barnes' second trey of the night that ballooned the Eagle lead back to double-digits at 52-41.

Embry-Riddle made five of its final six free throws to seal the victory, ending the night 22-of-26 for 85-percent. Carter and Pastrana led the Eagles with 13 points each as Carter added five assists and Pastrana pulled down seven rebounds. Barnes scored in double figures with 10.

Embry-Riddle celebrated the career of senior Rico Saldana before the game as the lone senior on the Eagle roster. Saldana finished the night 3-for-4 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free throw line for seven points.

The Eagles travel to Lake Wales, Fla. for the regular season finale on Saturday, Feb. 22 against Warner. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.