Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas women's basketball squad traveled across the state this afternoon (Jan. 6) to take on the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines. AQ improved its win streak to three with a score of 72-59 as it held the lead for most of the game.

Aquinas is now 2-0 in 2024 and its three-game winning streak improves its overall record to 7-7 on the season with a 4-4 WHAC standing. UM-Dearborn falls to 1-13 on the year with a 0-8 conference record.

Aquinas 72, UM-Dearborn 59

Claire Gregwer got the scoring started for the Saints and a series of buckets for Alona Blackwell had the Saints ahead 10-7 early. The Wolverines kept the first quarter close, but Blackwell's 12 points in the frame kept AQ ahead 18-14 at the first intermission.

A three from Ashlyn Wilkes and a free throw from Paige Guernsey gave AQ its largest lead to that point with a nine-point advantage. However, UMD held the Saints scoreless for nearly seven minutes in the second quarter and the home side took advantage, tying the game at 26 with 1:59 left on the clock. A pair of Blackwell free throws ended the run and Gregwer's three-point-play as the time expired put AQ back up 33-26 entering halftime.

The two sides continued to go back and forth entering the second half as AQ built its lead up to 12 at one point in the third quarter, but UMD continued to fight back. Points on three consecutive possessions for the Wolverines cut the 12-point lead down to 4, but AQ rebuilt the lead to eight at the end of the third quarter.

UM-Dearborn came into the fourth and final quarter hot with a pair of threes to effectively erase the deficit. However, a 14-4 run from Aquinas gave themselves a commanding 11-point lead with just 4:53 left to play. The Wolverines began to start a comeback, but Ciara Hardy and Blackwell combined for six points down the stretch to ice the game. AQ went on to win its third consecutive game by a score of 72-59.

By the Numbers

AQ held an advantage in most scoring metrics, leading the way in points off turnovers (16-8), second chance points (15-10), points in the paint (32-20), and fast break points (13-2). The Saints shot better from the field (25.3-33.9) and beyond the arc (28.6-27.6), but the Wolverines were slightly better from the free throw line (64.7-64.5).

Blackwell ended the game with 30 points on 9-24 shooting from the field and 10-13 from the free throw line. This is the third time this season that Blackwell has crested the 30-point mark and the 10th time she played all 40 minutes. She also had four boards, three assists, and a steal to cap off an impressive afternoon.

Hardy was the other Saint to break double-digit scoring with 15 points. She shot 5-16 from the field and 5-9 from the charity stripe. She added seven rebounds to her team-leading 103 boards this season.

Gregwer had another impressive performance in her third game in an Aquinas uniform. She ended the game with nine points and 17 rebounds. She is now averaging 12 rebounds a game since joining the team.

Up Next

AQ will be looking to continue its win streak this upcoming Wednesday (Jan. 10) as the Saints return to home court against Concordia. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.