Sylvania, Ohio. — The Aquinas College men's basketball team traveled down to Sylvania, Ohio, to take on the Gray Wolves of Lourdes on Saturday (Dec. 7) in conference play. The contest saw the duality of competition as LU led in the first, but the Saints took hold in the second. AQ began marching back the point disadvantage but the comeback was just short as the play clock struck zero. With the final horn,the Gray Wolves survived the Aquinas comeback with a score of 73-71.

Lourdes 73, Aquinas 71

The Gray Wolves started the first half strong as they earned the first points of the contest and managed to keep themselves just out of reach of the Saints. AQ still managed to find rebuttals to LU's possessions but weren't able to bring the contest even. In time, Lourdes began to get into a rhythm and continued to lengthen the gap on the scoreboard. Aquinas managed once again to put dents in the distance, but LU kept the pace for the remainder of the half. With the horn signifying the end of the first, Lourdes led the way 42-28.

In a dire position, the Saints knew they had to find a means to march back into this contested conference matchup, and they did just that. Opening the second half, AQ made do with 10 straight points to bring the gap to just a four-point difference. Jadakiss Lewis dropped in with five straight points from an in-the-paint layup and three free throws. Caden Pokorzynski got involved next with action in the paint with a layup. Lewis then returned with a splash as he notched a three-pointer. The Saints were catching fire as they opened a 10-0 run opening the second half.

Even with the AQ momentum, the Gray Wolves found their steam once again. But no matter the gap LU created, AQ slowly chipped away at it. Pokorzynski brought the game to a one-point difference with more action in the paint due to a steal by Jack Futa. Down 51-50 AQ regained possession and drove down the court looking for their first lead of the game. Terrance Jones made himself known with a layup and gave the Saints their first lead 52-51.

Here Lourdes went on to rally and re-distanced themselves from AQ. With the new gap, Lourdes led by 11 (69-58). Aquinas then earned six straight points all from Jones. Kaleb Mitchelson cut the difference to three with a layup, and with just 31 seconds left the scoreboard read 69-66 in favor of the Gray Wolves. With the time winding down AQ looked to regain control to take home the conference contest but came up just short with a 73-71 final.

By the Numbers

• The Saints made their presence known in the paint as they outscored LU 32-20
• AQ outscored Lourdes by 12 in the second half
• AQ continues its competitive play season as this was their third contest this year that was within one possession

Up Next

The Saints will return to Ohio for conference play as they will make way to Defiance, Ohio, on Saturday (Dec. 14) for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff with the Yellow Jackets in the Karl H. Weaner Center.