The Aquinas men's basketball team bounced back after its first loss of the season, earning an 18-point victory over Penn State-Greater Allegheny on Friday night (Nov. 5) in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The Saints pulled down 16 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second chance points to help put away the Nittany Lions in the 94-76 victory in Wunderley Gymnasium.

Aquinas improves to 3-1 on the season with the win and PSUGA, an DII school in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association out of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference, has began the season 0-1.

It was the Nittany Lions who got off to a good start in the first half, grabbing a 13-5 lead 4:32 into the game. After that it was all the Saints as a 25-2 run over the next seven and a half minutes gave AQ a 17-point lead. By the end of the first half, Aquinas held a 13-point lead as the scoreboard read 45-32. 

The lead grew to as much as 26 in the second half as the onslaught continued with the Saints shooting just over 57% from the floor in the second 20-minute period. PSUGA would not go quietly as the lead was cut in half with 3:44 left on the clock, but Aquinas held on to earn the 18-point victory. 

Aquinas made 37-70 shots from the floor that was good for a 52.9% shooting percentage. The Saints made a living from behind the arc, going 12-27 (44.4%) and also went 8-9 (88.9%) from the free throw line. PSUGA finished with the better shooting percentage of 53.7% on 29-54 from the field, while making 6-14 (42.9%) from the three and 12-14 (85.7%) from the charity stripe.

Coming off the bench in his season debut, Gabe Overway led the team in scoring with 19 points on 8-11 shooting and adding three free throws. Justin Lary was not far behind after finishing with 17 points, including 5-5 from downtown, and leading the team with six boards. Sammie Ryans also added another 14 points by making two of his four field goals from beyond the arc and sinking four free throws.

Jaylen Rutherford finished with a quiet 12 points, while recording the only two steals on the night for AQ. Jesse Hillis was the leading facilitator with four assist and chipped in 10 points.

Aquinas outrebounded PSUGA 34-20 including 16-4 on the offensive end that led to 20 second chance points compared to seven from the Nittany Lions. AQ dished out more assists by a 20-11 margin with PSUGA gathering nine steals to the Saints' two. The Saints also had more bench points (39-34) and points off turnovers (8-2) with PSUGA outscoring AQ in the paint by a 34-26 margin.

Aquinas will return home for its WHAC home opener against Lourdes in Sturrus Center on Wednesday (Nov. 10), with tip-off currently scheduled for 7:30 PM.