Grand Rapids, Mich. – The women's basketball team returned to "Coach Bo Court" tonight (Jan. 24) to complete its three-game home stand. AQ faced off against Rochester Warriors in what was, on paper, an even matchup. Both teams represented an 8-10 record and 5-7 conference record. This analysis proved to be true as the game remained a single-digit event for nearly the entirety of the game. However, the Warriors went on a run at the end of the game and managed to pull off an 81-76 win.
Aquinas stumbles to an 8-11 overall record and a 5-8 conference record. Rochester improves to 9-10 with a 6-7 WHAC record.
Rochester 81, Aquinas 76
Ciara Hardy scored the first bucket of the game on the opening possession and
Alona Blackwell followed that up with a layup to give AQ a quick lead. Rochester raced back and went on a bit of a run, outscoring Aquinas 16-6 over the next four minutes to claim a 16-10 advantage heading into the first media timeout.
The fast-paced game continued coming out of the break as RU continued to build its lead. The two teams combined for 47 points in the first quarter with the Warriors holding a 28-19 lead.
Hannah Outlaw led the team in scoring with five points in the first.
Aquinas reduced the deficit down to just six points in an evenly-match quarter with just under six minutes left to go. However, Rochester began to slowly increase its lead until it reached double-digits. The two sides settled in and began to trade buckets back and forth. The first half ended with RU holding a 43-34 edge.
Once again, in the third quarter, AQ managed to reduce the Rochester lead to just six points, but the Warriors continued to prevent Aquinas from going on a run to completely erase the lead. However, with the clock winding down, the Saints finally got the run they needed.
Jenna Daschke scored a layup and then
Ashlyn Wilkes converted a three-point play after a Blackwell rebound. Wilkes scored another bucket with five seconds left on the clock to bring Aquinas within one point.
The game remained within one possession with neither side giving an inch in the final quarter. A
Claire Gregwer jumper finally tied the game, but Rochester immediately responded with a layup. On the ensuing possession, Aquinas finally broke through and took the lead for the first time since the beginning of the first quarter after a three from Gregwer.
Aquinas managed to hold onto its slim lead until the very end of the game. Rochester went on an 8-1 run in the final three and a half minutes of the game to take a 78-74 lead. Blackwell scored an easy bucket with 27.7 seconds remaining on the clock to bring the game back within one possession before using a timeout.
Rochester cleanly inbounded the ball to Celeste Mershimer who proceeded to score both free throws to take a two-possession lead. That play proved to be the final nail in the coffin as the visitors went on to win 81-76.
By the Numbers
The two sides were nearly even in most statistical categories. Aquinas held the edge in points off turnovers (18-11) and blocks (1-0). Both teams had identical second-chance points (12-12) and bench points (22-22).
Rochester held a slight edge in points in the paint (42-34), field goal percentage (39.7%-37.9%), and rebounds (47-40).
Outlaw had herself a night with her first career double-double for Aquinas. She had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and one steal.
Blackwell led the game in points with 23 total points, 15 coming from the free-throw line. She also had three boards, two assists, and four steals.
Gregwer had another double-double tonight with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She shot an impressive 7-10 from the field and 1-1 from beyond the arc.
Up Next
Aquinas is on the road for the first time in two weeks this weekend (Jan. 27). The Saints will take a trip down to Ohio to face Lourdes at 1:00 p.m.
