The Aquinas men's basketball team collected its 10th win of the season in the non-conference match-up over Grace Christian on Wednesday evening (Dec. 30) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After sprinting out to a 14-point lead at halftime, the Saints were able to hold off the Tiger comeback and claim a 78-75 win at the Aldrich Athletic Center.
AQ improves its record to 10-5 on the season, which already matches the win total from the last full season coming in 2019-20. GCU, a private school out of the NCCAA, now has a record of 8-8 on the year.
The first nine minutes of the game were a battle between the two teams as Grace Christian held the lead three different times, Aquinas claimed the lead once, and the score was tied three times. After the score was tied at 15 with 10:56 remaining, the Saints finished the half outscoring the Tigers 27-13 to take the 14-point lead into halftime.
Aquinas continued to build its lead in the first three minutes of the second half, grabbing an 18-point advantage for the largest lead of the game. In less than five minutes, Grace Christian had the AQ lead down to five with 12:26 still on the clock. Three straight Saints' baskets gave them a little breathing room until the 7:20 mark when the Tigers made another push. The last two minutes of the game saw the AQ lead dwindle down to four and eventually GCU tied the game up at 74 with 28 second left. Malik Jones made four free throws on the last two possessions to push the Saints across the finish line victorious.
Aquinas shot the ball at a 43.9% clip after making 25-57 baskets, including 9-28 from downtown and 19-23 from the charity stripe. Grace Christian went 30-67 from the floor for a 44.8% shooting percentage, including 4-20 from three-point land and 11-18 from the free throw line.
Gabe Overway notched yet another double-double after leading the team with both 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jones provided the spark off the bench for the Saints, finishing with a season-high 13 points and also collecting four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Sammie Ryans was the leading assist-getter with five to go along with his 13 points and three rebounds.
Trevor Ballard was the last Saint to score double-digits by scoring 10 in 17 minutes of action. Tommy Gregwer and Menalito McGee scored eight points a piece, while Justin Lary and Jesse Hillis rounded out the scoring by scoring six points each.
Both teams finished with 38 rebounds and 11 turnovers a piece, while the Saints just edged the Tigers in assists by a 20-19 margin. Aquinas finished with more points off turnovers (18-10) and bench points (27-5) and Grace Christian scored more points in the paint (36-22) and second chance points (11-4).
The Saints will play their second of three games this week tomorrow with a home tilt against Spring Arbor at Sturrus Center, with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 PM.
