Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Aquinas women's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting IU-South Bend on Wednesday night (Nov. 1) inside the Sturrus Center. The visiting Titans shot a blistering 50 percent from the field and sprinted past the Saints by a 91-56 final score in the non-conference contest.

It was AQ's second game of the season - both at home, in the last five days - which bookended an exhibition matchup at Western Michigan on Sunday (Oct. 29). The Saints topped Shawnee State 62-61 in Saturday's opener, but (RV) IU-South Bend proved to be more formidable on Wednesday night.

IUSB improves to 2-0 on the season, while Aquinas is now 1-1. Four of AQ's next five games are on the road, aside from next Tuesday's (Nov. 7) tilt against Great Lakes Christian.

A wild first quarter saw the teams combine for 19 fouls and 15 turnovers, while the Titans hit 5-of-10 three-pointers to take a 31-15 advantage. Seven straight points from Alona Blackwell made it a 31-18 game early in the second quarter and kept AQ within striking distance. 

IU-South Bend responded with a 13-0 run and regained control with a 44-18 lead midway through the second quarter. The visitors led at the half 57-28 on nearly 57 percent shooting and 8-of-16 from three-point range.

The second half was more competitive for the Saints, as IUSB outscored Aquinas 34-28 over the final 20 minutes. 

For the game, the Titans shot 50 percent from the field and made 11 three-pointers. Aquinas went 12-of-18 at the line and shot 32 percent from the floor. The Titans won the rebounding battle, 45-36, while AQ grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. 

Blackwell posted a game-high 27 points, shooting 8-of-18 from the field and 10-of-13 from the charity stripe. She added six rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Despite battling foul trouble, Ashlyn Wilkes also reached double-digits with 10 points in only 14 minutes, knocking down 3-of-4 three-point attempts. 

Ciara Hardy grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and scored seven points, while Alexis Thomas totaled six points on 3-for-4 shooting to go with four boards and two steals. Jenna Daschke recorded five rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Paige Guernsey added four points, three rebounds, and three assists. 

The Saints look to turn the page with a road non-conference game on Saturday (Nov. 4) in University Park, Ill. AQ takes on Governors State at 2:00 p.m.