Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas men's basketball team continued its 2024 winning ways today (Jan. 6) with an 89-79 victory over the UM-Dearborn Wolverines. Four Saints reached double-digit scoring as AQ remains undefeated in the new year.
Aquinas improves to 8-6 on the year with a 5-3 WHAC record. UM-Dearborn continues to struggle this season as it falls to 2-12 with an 0-8 conference record.
Aquinas 89, UM-Dearborn 79
Donovan Brown-Boyd started the game with a three-point-play and a three pointer in the first minute of the game to give AQ a quick 6-0 lead. A pair of free throws from Andrew Larson on the ensuing possession gave the Saints an 8-0 to kick off the game.
The Wolverines responded as the two teams began trading buckets until the home side eventually took its first lead of the game with 10:15 remaining on the clock. Jared Lary drained a three to give AQ the lead back on the following possession and the face-paced game continued. With the clock winding down in the first half, a Larson layup gave AQ its first double-digit lead of the game with 3:56 left on the clock.
Aquinas appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable lead to end the half, but a 7-2 run from the Wolverines to end the half had the Saints ahead by just five.
Devon Boyd and Brown-Boyd got the second half started right with a pair of threes to give AQ its double-digit lead back. Neither team was able to generate a run for the first ten minutes of the half with the Saints maintaining a 74-63 lead with eight minutes left to play.
However, an 8-0 run from Dearborn had the home side just three points down with 5:40 left on the clock. Boyd ended the run with a jumper, but Dearborn was still just one possession behind with under four minutes to go.
A pair of free throws from Menalito McGee, two layups from DeAndre Francis, and several missed shots from UMD foiled the Wolverines' comeback attempt. A couple of free throws from Boyd ended the game 89-79 in favor of AQ.
By the Numbers
Aquinas benefitted from more second chance points (11-10), points off turnovers (9-5), points in the paint, (44-42), and fast break points (15-14). However, UMD had a significant contribution from the bench, outsourcing AQ's bench 30-16.
Statistically, the game was close between the two conference foes. AQ held an advantage in rebounds (39-37), assists (18-15), and steals (5-2). AQ also had four fewer turnovers.
The Saints also had a better day shooting from the field (44.1-43.8) and from the free throw line (82.8%-70.8%).
Francis set a career-high in points (19) and rebounds (14) today as he led the team in both categories with his double-double performance. He shot 8-15 from the field, 3-3 from the line, and added three assists to his impressive afternoon.
Brown-Boyd had another good outing today with 17 points on 6-17 shooting with three buckets from beyond the arc. He has now scored at least 17 points in seven games this season.
Boyd had an efficient night as he shot 4-6 from the field, 1-2 from three, and 7-8 from the charity stripe for 16 points. He also had one rebound, two assists, and two steals.
Larson was the fourth starter to score double-digit points with 14. He shot 60% from the field, scored both of his free throws, grabbed six boards, assisted four field goals, and had one steal.
Up Next
Aquinas returns to the hardwood on Wednesday (Jan. 10) as the Saints are slated to take on Concordia. The Saints are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m.
