The Aquinas men's basketball team dropped a 60-49 conference contest on Tuesday night (Nov. 23) to visiting Indiana Tech, as the Warriors used a strong first half to earn the road win. AQ was within four points late in the first half, but Indiana Tech went on a game-changing run to take control and capture the victory.
 
With Tuesday's result, Aquinas drops to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in WHAC play. The Saints had won four of their last five games prior to the loss. Indiana Tech improves to 5-4 on the year and 3-2 in league action.
 
The Warriors held a 25-12 lead at the 7:40 mark of the first half and appeared to be in full control, but AQ went on a 9-0 run in a 90-second span. Tommy Gregwer hit two free throws, Jesse Hillis knocked down a jumper and converted a layup after a Menalito McGee steal and assist, and Jaylen Rutherford capped the run with a big three-pointer to make it 25-21 with 3:41 remaining in the half.
 
Indiana Tech, however, stopped the run and scored the final six points of the half to take a 31-21 lead to the intermission. The Warriors also ran off the first six points in the second stanza to turn their surge into a combined 12-0 run and a 37-21 cushion. Aquinas could get no closer than a dozen points until the final seconds of the game.
 
Gabe Overway, the reigning WHAC Player of the Week, posted team-highs of 13 points and seven rebounds, while Rutherford and Hillis both shot 4-of-9 from the field and posted 10 points each. Rutherford drained a pair of three-pointers and added three rebounds, while Hillis chipped in four assists and two steals.
 
Sammie Ryans tallied six points and four rebounds, while McGee notched five points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The Saints shot 34.0 percent from the field and went 5-of-22 from three-point range. Indiana Tech made 43.1 percent of its attempts, but only were 5-of-15 from downtown. The visiting Warriors held a 40-28 edge in rebounding and led in the paint, 36-20. 
 
AQ forced Indiana Tech into 18 turnovers and flipped those into 17 points. The Saints also went 8-of-9 at the stripe.
 
This weekend, Aquinas competes in the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Hope College. AQ takes on Calvin on Friday (Nov. 26) before a Saturday (Nov. 27) matchup with Hope caps off the holiday tournament.