Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Saints traveled down to Fort Wayne this morning (Dec. 21) for a holiday exhibition matchup against the NCAA Division I Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. Aquinas went back-and-forth with PFW in the first quarter, but the DI Mastodons pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back.

Purdue Fort Wayne 77, Aquinas 43

Ciara Hardy and Alona Blackwell combined for 10 of AQ's 13 points in the first quarter as the Saints held a lead against the Mastodons for 4:34 during that time. However, the hosts picked up a lead late in the first and entered the second quarter with a 15-13 advantage.  

Paige Guernsey provided AQ's four points through the first five minutes of the quarter from the free throw line as Purdue started to build a lead. A pair of three throws from Alexis Thomas with the clock winding down in the second quarter brought AQ back within five points. However, the home side started a run late in the second to take a ten-point lead into halftime.

The Mastodons came rushing out of the gates to start the second half, outscoring AQ 21-9 throughout the third quarter with the score at 57-36. That offensive prowess continued into the fourth quarter as Purdue wrapped up the game with the score at 77-43.

By the Numbers

The Saints held the advantage in rebounds, outboarding the Mastodons 42-38 with more offensive and defensive rebounds. Aquinas also scored a few more points from the charity stripe, netting 16 to PFW's 13.

Purdue held an advantage In field goal percentage, scoring 38.5% from the field to AQ's 25%. The Mastodons also scored more points off turnovers (24-6), points in the paint (22-18), and fastbreak points (11-9). The home side also scored an impressive 14 threes to AQ's one.

Blackwell's scoring dominance continues as she put away almost half of AQ's points with 19. She shot 5-17 from the field, 9-12 at the free throw line, all while picking seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

Up Next

The Saints are back on the road after Christmas with a road matchup against the Goshen Maple Leafs. The tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. on December 29th.