Goshen, Ind. – The AQ women's basketball team returned for its first NAIA matchup in nearly two weeks tonight (Dec. 29) with a road trip down to Goshen. In an evenly-matched game, Aquinas managed to hold on at the buzzer for a 72-70 victory. This gives AQ five wins on the season as the Saints improve to 5-7 on the year. Goshen falls to 8-5.

Aquinas 72, Goshen 70

The newest Saint, Claire Gregwer, made an immediate impact in the game, scoring AQ's first bucket of the game for her first career points at Aquinas. Alona Blackwell followed that with a three to give AQ its first lead of the game.

The two sides went back and forth as Gregwer, Blackwell, and Ciara Hardy combined for AQ's first 13 points. A two-point jumper from Brynn Reams gave AQ a slim 15-14 advantage with 3:49 remaining in the first quarter. The Maple Leafs got some momentum going following Reams' jumper and put together a 6-0 run. Hardy and Blackwell responded to reduce the deficit to just one point, but the home side managed to string together two buckets for a 24-19 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Goshen started the second quarter hot and extended its lead to as much as eight. However, the Saints started marching back and a Hannah Outlaw three tied the game at 36 with four minutes to go in the half. Hardy converted a jumper a minute later to give AQ its first lead in nearly 10 minutes. The Saints maintained their advantage throughout the remainder of the first half and took a 41-40 lead into halftime.

The two evenly matched sides kept the score within just five points throughout the entirety of a low-scoring third quarter. The score was 55-52 heading into the fourth quarter.

Goshen immediately scored five points to kick off the fourth quarter to reestablish its largest lead of the game (8 points). Neither team scored for over two minutes until a Gregwer two-pointer broke the scoring drought with seven minutes to play.

With the clock winding down, Ashlyn Wilkes converted a three-point play and followed that with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to cut the deficit to just one point. The Leafs turned the ball over on their possession and Wilkes assisted Gregwer to give AQ the lead with the score at 67-66 with 2:30 left on the clock.

Gregwer scored again to give AQ a three-point advantage, but Goshen responded with a pair of buckets to take the lead back with just over a minute left to play. Hardy converted a bucket to give AQ the lead back and then a bad turnover from Goshen put Blackwell at the free-throw line with 20 seconds remaining. She scored one of her free throws to put Aquinas up by two points.

Goshen missed an open three and Wilkes got the rebound. However, AQ turned the ball over and the Leafs were able to call a timeout with ten seconds remaining to draw up a play. Goshen put up another open three with the clock winding down but, once again, put it off the rim. The Maple Leafs got the offensive board, but the ball went off the rim and out with the clock expiring to give AQ a 72-70 victory.

By the Numbers

Neither team held a double-digit lead at any point throughout the entire game and Aquinas' largest lead was just three points despite coming away with the win. Goshen held the lead for 25:53 throughout the game and Aquinas held the lead for 9:51.

Goshen scored more field goals (30-28), had a higher field goal percentage (40.5-39.4), scored more threes (6-5), and had more boards (48-38). However, the difference in the game came at the free throw line as AQ scored 11 points (68.8%) to Goshen's four (28.6%). AQ was also able to capitalize off of turnovers and second-chance points far better than Goshen.

Blackwell led the team in points (16) after playing all 40 minutes. She shot 5-12 from the field, including two threes and 4-5 shooting from the charity stripe.

Gregwer made an immediate impact for the Saints in her debut with a double-double. She scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Aquinas in the win.

Hardy ended the game with 13 points herself on 6-11 shooting. She combined that with five boards, two assists, and a steal.

Reams scored a career-high 10 points off the bench, along with five rebounds and a pair of steals.

Up Next

Aquinas will be looking to take this momentum back to Sturrus next Wednesday (Jan. 3) for a home conference matchup against UNOH. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.