The Aquinas men's basketball team ran into a strong offensive team on Wednesday night (Feb. 5), as visiting Siena Heights notched a 77-57 win over AQ in the Sturrus Center. SHU shot nearly 56 percent from the field and made 9-of-18 three-pointers in the WHAC victory.

With the loss, Aquinas falls to 8-18 overall and 4-12 in conference play, while Siena Heights improves to 11-14 on the season and 8-8 in league action.

The visiting Saints were too strong in the first half, racing out to a 41-23 lead at halftime behind 57 percent shooting and 5-of-8 from downtown. Aquinas fought hard and played better over the final 20 minutes, being outscored 36-34 in the second half.

For the game, Siena Heights shot 55.6 percent from the field, 9-of-18 from three-point range, and 8-of-10 at the line. AQ finished at 40.7 percent from the floor, 6-of-17 from long distance, and 7-of-8 at the stripe. The home Saints won the rebounding battle 31-26, but Aquinas turned the ball over 17 times, including 14 in the pivotal first half.

Beau LePage and Deric Murray led Aquinas with 10 points each. LePage went 4-for-7 from the field and hit a pair of three-pointers, while Murray missed only one shot (3-of-4 from the field, 4-of-4 at the line) and added two steals.

Sammie Ryans and DeShawn Lewis each chipped in nine points, as Ryans went 4-for-7 and Lewis was 4-of-9 from the field. Gabe Overway led the Saints with seven rebounds and Jesse Hillis dished out four assists. Justin Lary totaled five points, five rebounds, and two assists.

AQ held a 37-8 edge in bench points and finished on top in points in the paint (30-28) and fast break points (7-2). Both teams scored eight second chance points, while Siena Heights held a 16-7 edge in points off turnovers.

On Saturday (Feb. 8), Aquinas heads to Concordia for a 3:00 p.m. contest with the Cardinals.