A strong second half pushed visiting Rochester past the Aquinas women's basketball team in Monday night's (Feb. 1) season opener inside the Sturrus Center. After the score was tied 24-24 at halftime, Rochester outscored the Saints by a 52-29 margin over the final 20 minutes to finish off the 76-53 conference victory.

It was the season opener for Aquinas, which falls to 0-1 on the year and in WHAC play. Rochester improves to 4-1 overall and remains unbeaten at 3-0 in conference action.

A lower-scoring first half saw the teams tied at 24-24 after the opening 20 minutes. The Warriors turned up the intensity in the second half and shot nearly 60 percent after halftime. For the game, Rochester shot 42.5 percent from the field and held a 53-42 rebounding advantage. The Warriors were strong in the paint with a 52-32 cushion.

Aquinas shot 32.3 percent from the floor and struggled from downtown, going 1-for-14 from long range. The Saints did have the game's leading scorer and another player with a double-double. Daz'Sha Day totaled a game-high 18 points, while adding six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Marissa Brady secured a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and blocked five shots. Brighton Miller scored six points and Jakarri Alven added five points and four boards. Kailee Ford scored five points and Brionne Crews grabbed five rebounds.

Rochester held a seven-point advantage early in the game, but the Saints bounced back to tie the score and force the 24-24 deadlock at halftime. The Warriors came out of halftime with a 12-1 run in the first three minutes to open a 36-25 cushion. At the end of the third quarter, RU scored a layup at the buzzer to take a 48-36 advantage to the fourth.

The Warriors pulled away in the final 10 minutes to earn the WHAC victory. AQ and Rochester will square off again on Feb. 21 in Rochester Hills.

Aquinas is back in action on Wednesday night (Feb. 3) against crosstown rival Cornerstone. Tipoff from the Sturrus Center is set for 5:30 p.m.