On a night where the Aquinas women's basketball team opened the 2019-20 season and tipped off more than two hours later than originally expected, the Saints were able to prevail in a hard-fought, defensive battle by a 46-43 score at Goshen. AQ knocked down 3-of-4 free throws in the last 10 seconds for the final tallies of the contest, helping the Saints win the non-conference contest in Indiana.
 
It was the season opener for both teams, as Aquinas moves to 1-0 on the year and Goshen falls to 0-1. The game was originally scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff, but due to a Goshen volleyball match prior to the basketball game, the Saints and Maple Leafs did not kick off the new season until 9:07 p.m.
 
Despite those circumstances, AQ used a strong third quarter – outscoring Goshen 16-8 in the period – to overcome a 25-17 halftime deficit and tie things up going into the fourth quarter. The largest lead over the final 10 minutes was with 2:41 remaining, when Daz'Sha Day connected on a three-pointer, giving Aquinas a 43-39 cushion.
 
Goshen used a pair of buckets to tie the game at 43-all with a minute to play. Camaryia Williams came up with a huge steal with just 12 seconds remaining and was fouled on her way to a potential go-ahead fast break layup. Williams hit the second of two free throws for the 44-43 lead with 10 seconds to go.
 
The Maple Leafs drew up a nice play out of the timeout and ended up with a wide open layup, but were unable to convert. Marissa Brady grabbed the rebound for the Saints, was fouled, and connected on both freebies with six seconds remaining. Goshen's last chance desperation three-pointer from just inside half court was off target, sealing the win for AQ.
 
Aquinas shot just 27.8 percent from the field, but held the Maple Leafs to only 26.2 percent shooting. Goshen was held to 1-of-16 shooting from three-point range and went 8-of-15 at the line, while the Saints were 4-of-11 from downtown and a solid 12-for-16 from the charity stripe.
 
Day led all players with a game-high 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting and six rebounds. She made her only three-point try late in the game and was 3-for-3 at the line. Diynasti Dowell added nine points and three rebounds, while Williams pulled down a team-high 12 boards and notched a game-best four steals. 
 
Keeley Hinton hit a pair of three-pointers for her six points, JaKarri Alven scored five points, and Jayda Smith tallied three steals and three assists. Including the game-clinching free throws, Brady recorded four points, four rebounds, and four blocks in just nine minutes. 
 
AQ will return to Grand Rapids to play its home opener on Monday (Oct. 28) against Indiana Wesleyan at 7:00 p.m.