Adrian, Mich. – The Saints men's basketball team kicked off the conference season Wednesday night (Nov. 20). After holding a commanding lead for the majority of the contest, the Saints of Siena Heights managed a frantic comeback at the end of the game to take the fixture into overtime. AQ was able to recover and hold onto the lead in overtime to win the first game of the conference season and go above .500.

AQ improved to 3-2 on the year with a 1-0 WHAC record.

Aquinas 71, Siena Heights 66 (Overtime)

The Saints slowly built a lead in the first half as SHU struggled offensively, only scoring four points through the first 12 minutes of the game. AQ took a 15-point lead following a Jacob Howard three and then jumped the lead to 20 a couple of minutes later after Devon Boyd's free throws. Siena Heights finally got a bit of offense going, but AQ took a 34-15 lead into halftime after another two Boyd free throws.

The second half was a bit more balanced as the two sides went back and forth, and neither side managed to push the game in one direction or another. With just less than 10 minutes left to go, AQ continued to hold a massive 19-point lead after a Terrance Jones layup. However, the game began to shift once SHU responded with a three. Aquinas still held a 17-point advantage just a little less than seven minutes to play, but that lead quickly vanished. Over the next three minutes, Siena Heights ripped off a 14-0 run to bring the game back within one possession.

Both defenses locked in, preventing the other side from gaining an advantage. With less than a minute left to play, Jadakiss Lewis scored two separate sets of free throws to take a late six-point lead.

In the waning seconds, SHU responded with a three and instantly fouled with the game at one possession. AQ missed the and-one, allowing SHU to put up a game-tying three at the end of regulation. SHU was awarded a shooting foul, giving the hosts the chance to tie the game if they made all three free throws. Siena Heights did just that, taking the game into overtime.

Boyd started the bonus period with a layup before Siena Heights scored consecutive buckets to take its first lead of the game. However, Siena Heights' offense cooled off as Aquinas slowly built a lead through free throws. SHU nearly tied the game again with 30 seconds left to go, but Aquinas made its free throws at the end of the game and the hosts could not score again. AQ held on to win the game 71-66.

By the Numbers

• AQ led for nearly the entire game with SHU only leading for a few seconds in overtime.
• Boyd led the team in scoring once again with 19 points on 5-12 shooting. Boyd was also a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line.
• Lewis also hit double-digits for the fifth consecutive game, recording 11 points.
• The game was decided at the free throw line as, despite outshooting and outrebounding Aquinas, Siena Heights shot 11-21 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, AQ shot 23-28.

Up Next

The Saints are back in Grand Rapids on Friday (Nov. 22) with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the UNOH Racers.