A clash of a pair of undefeated WHAC women's basketball teams went to #22 Siena Heights on Wednesday night (Dec. 4) in Adrian, as the home Saints topped visiting (RV) Aquinas by a 79-53 final score. The teams entered the game with a combined conference record of 7-0, but SHU was too strong on its home court and notched the league victory.
Entering the contest, neither Saints team had a blemish on their WHAC record; AQ was 3-0 against conference opponents, while Siena Heights was 4-0. With the loss, Aquinas is 5-5 overall this season and 3-1 in league action, while SHU moves to 9-1 on the year and 5-0 in conference play.
Siena Heights shot very well on its home floor on Wednesday, connecting on 56.6 percent of its field goals and going 8-of-17 from downtown. The home Saints were 9-of-12 at the line, but did turn the ball over 20 times. Aquinas struggled from the field, shooting 27.1 percent from the field and 5-of-26 from three-point range. The visiting Saints were 8-of-15 at the line. AQ committed just 14 turnovers.
Despite the loss,
Camaryia Williams was arguably the best player on the floor, putting up 19 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals – all of which were game-highs. She went 7-of-14 from the field, made 3-of-4 three-point attempts, pulled down seven offensive boards, and also handed out three assists.
Marissa Brady added eight points and was 3-of-6 from the floor.
Keeley Hinton,
Brighton Miller, and
Artrese Williams all scored five points, with Hinton and Miller each knocking down a three-pointer.
Destini Lewis chipped in four rebounds and a pair of steals.
Even with
Camaryia Williams grabbing 13 rebounds, Siena Heights won the rebounding battle by a 43-33 margin. The home Saints also led in points off turnovers (17-12), bench points (32-18), and points in the paint (34-25).
Camaryia Williams and Jakarri Alven scored the game's first four points with a layup each, but Siena Heights responded with a 17-5 run to take early control. SHU led 27-18 after the first quarter and was on top by as many as 20 points in the second quarter before taking a 46-28 lead to halftime.
Aquinas was unable to get any closer in the second half, only outscoring Siena Heights in one quarter – a 14-12 edge in the fourth frame. AQ had held its past two opponents to 46 and 40 points before SHU put up 79 points, the most the visiting Saints have given up in a game this season.
AQ is back in action on Saturday (Dec. 7) at 1:00 p.m. against (RV) Lawrence Tech in the Sturrus Center. It is the third annual Holiday Hoops event, with Christmas festivities featured prior to and during both games of the WHAC doubleheader and Santa visiting from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
