Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Saints opened up their season Friday evening (Oct. 25) and took on the University of Saint Francis Fighting Saints. In a game that featured 18 lead changes and the largest lead being seven points, the two teams battled out every point for 45 minutes. A late rally from the visitors managed to tie the game and force overtime. That shift in momentum was enough for the Fighting Saints to sneak out of Sturrus with a win and a final score of 70-68.

University of Saint Francis 70, Aquinas 68 (OT)

The visitors claimed an early lead off of a pair of threes, but it was not long until Claire Gregwer made her presence felt on the court. She totaled eight points in the first quarter before Rhema Dozier scored her first collegiate bucket to tie the game at 14. A late free throw gave USF a slight advantage to end the evenly balanced first quarter.

A pair of Brynn Reams free throws gave AQ the lead early in the second quarter, but USF responded with a three and a layup to take a two-possession lead. Gregwer responded with a pair of buckets to tie the game and the contest remained a one-score game until layups from Emily Cline and Claire Gregwer gave the Saints a 28-25 lead heading into halftime.

Gregwer opened the second half with a jumper to claim a five-point lead, the largest lead of the night by either team to that point. However, the visitors quickly scored a pair of field goals to close the gap back to just one point. This back-and-forth battle continued throughout the third quarter with a pair of Ashlyn Wilkes free throws giving AQ a 41-39 edge at the end of the quarter.

The Saints finally began to create a little bit of space after Gregwer hit a three to give AQ a four-point advantage with just over five minutes to play. However, once again, USF rallied back to tie the game at 49 with less than three minutes to play.

Isabel Reemsnyder splashed a three of her own and then scored a pair of free throws to give AQ a five-point lead shortly after. A pair of Cline free throws then had AQ up seven with just 91 seconds remaining, the largest lead of the night.

USF cut the deficit to five points with 34 seconds remaining and then a pair of missed Aquinas free throws with 22 seconds left opened the door for Saint Francis to make it a one-score game. They did just that with a clutch three with 18 seconds remaining. Aquinas then turned the ball over just six seconds later, allowing the visitors to tie the game in a dramatic turn of events. Neither team could score at the end of regulation, moving the game to overtime.

Gregwer and Reemsnyder attempted to turn the momentum back in AQ's favor as they both connected on a three to take a four-point lead. However, USF scored a three of its own and then a layup to take the lead.

A three-point play from Reemsnyder gave AQ the lead back and then a layup from Dozier had AQ up by two scores with 94 seconds to go. USF responded with a layup, but a Gregwer free throw had AQ back ahead by three with just under a minute left on the overtime clock. The Fighting Saints answered with another layup before another AQ turnover late in overtime gave USF the ball and they scored a three to take the lead. Aquinas was unable to find its own response as the visitors snuck out with a 70-68 victory.

By the Numbers:

• Gregwer had a career day, scoring a career-high 27 points (11-22) with 11 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. She also played 43 of the 45 minutes.
• Reemsnyder added some late offense to the team, totaling 14 points and five boards.
• Cline recorded a career-high in rebounds after leading the team with 12.
• The Saints led for nearly 50% of the game and had the largest lead of the night with seven points.
• AQ outrebounded Saint Francis 54-46 in what was an otherwise extremely even box score.

Up Next

The Saints have a couple of weeks off until they return to "Coach Bo" court on November 8th to face the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats.