The Aquinas women's basketball team is unable to keep pace with Siena Heights on Monday evening (Jan. 24) in Adrian, Michigan. After gaining a one point lead at the end of the first quarter, Aquinas was outscored by 24 over the next two quarters to Siena Heights in the 81-62 loss.
AQ's overall record now stands at 12-10 on the season with a 7-5 conference record, which places Aquinas fifth in the WHAC. SHU improves its record of 18-5 on the year and 10-3 within the conference.
Siena Heights got out to a fast start in the first quarter, taking a 12-3 lead at the 4:37 mark. Aquinas then went on a run itself, closing out the period out on a 12-2 run and leading 15-14. The second quarter is when SHU took over as six of its eight field goals came from behind the arc, while also going three for four from the free throw line. AQ struggled to keep the offensive pace going by making only four buckets in the quarter. Siena Heights took a 39-25 lead into the locker room.
Siena Heights' hot shooting continued in the third quarter by going 9-13 from the floor, including a perfect 4-4 from long range. Aquinas trailed by as much as 25 in the period after making six baskets with only one coming from downtown. AQ was able to outscore SHU in the fourth quarter, but it was a little too late to overcome the big deficit. The lead was cut down to 16 at one point before Siena Heights ended up with a 19-point victory.
Aquinas finished with a 35.0% field goal percentage after making 21-60 shots, including 7-26 from behind the arc and 13-18 from the free throw line. Siena Heights went 28-56 from the floor for a 50.0% shooting percentage, while going 12-20 from downtown and 13-14 from the charity stripe.
Daz'Sha Day scored double figures for the fifth straight game after scoring a team-high 18 points. Day went 7-12 from the floor including 3-6 from three. Marissa Brady was the leading rebounder at nine, while also scoring 13 points and blocking four shots. Destini Lewis (8) and Mauriya Barnes (7) combined to score 15 points off the bench.
Aquinas was outrebounded by Siena Heights by a 40-28 margin as SHU also had more assists (16-8) and AQ had more blocks (4-2) and steals (8-6). Aquinas forced Siena Heights into 15 turnovers, while only turning the ball over 10 times. AQ collected more second chance points (7-5) and bench points (21-17), while SHU scored more points in the paint (20-18) and fast break points (4-0) and both teams scored nine points off turnovers.
Aquinas will have a quick turn around to face #17 Indiana Tech on Wednesday (Jan. 26) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 PM.
