Miami Gardens, Fla. – The Aquinas women's basketball team opened the Cruzin Classic Tournament with a hard-fought 50-45 victory over Clinton College (CC) on Monday afternoon. The Saints now have a six game win streak with a 8-5 (5-1) record. 

Aquinas 53, Clinton 47

The Saints jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first quarter behind buckets from Emily Cline and Claire Gregwer. Brynn Reams added a layup, but Clinton quickly responded to tie the game at 8-8. The Golden Bears took a brief 10-8 advantage, but back-to-back layups from Reams and Paige Guernsey evened the score at 12-12 to close out the opening period.

Guernsey stayed hot to open the second quarter, scoring a layup and a free throw to give AQ a 15-13 lead. The teams continued to trade baskets, as Cline and Avery DePagter each added layups for an 18-17 Saints edge. Gregwer and Reams added late layups, but a buzzer-beating jumper from CC sent Aquinas into halftime trailing 25-22.

Gregwer and Ashlyn Wilkes sparked the Saints to start the third quarter with a pair of quick layups, cutting the deficit to one at 27-26. Aquinas took control midway through the frame with back-to-back three-pointers from Wilkes and Rhema Dozier, reclaiming the lead at 32-29. Clinton momentarily responded, but Cline hit two free throws and Isabel Reemsnyder drained a three-pointer to give the Saints a 37-34 advantage heading into the final quarter.

Aquinas carried the momentum into the fourth, as layups from Guernsey and Reams extended the lead to 43-36. Reemsnyder added two key layups of her own to push the Saints' advantage to 47-39. Clinton College made a late push, but Aquinas sealed the win with clutch free throws, three from Reemsnyder and one from Guernsey, to secure the 50-45 victory.

By the Numbers 

• Gregwer, Guernsey, and Reemsnyder all added 10 points to the score 

• Gregwer added another double-double to her list as she claimed 14 rebounds in addition to her 10 points 

• Cline claimed five assist and Guernsey trailed with four 

Up Next 

The Saints continue action in the Cruzin Classic tomorrow (Dec.18) against Briar Cliff at 6:00 p.m. as they look to build on their strong start.