Livonia, Mich. – AQ faced off against the No. 14-ranked team in the nation today (Feb. 17). Madonna entered this contest on a six-game winning streak while Aquinas was looking to rebound from a tough loss at UNOH earlier this week. Madonna snuck past AQ earlier this season with a one-point victory and, once again, just barely got the best of Aquinas today. Neither team ever led by more than 10 points, but it was Madonna that pulled away for a two-possession win.

Madonna improved to 22-4 this season with an 18-2 conference record. Aquinas moves to 13-13 with a 10-10 WHAC record. This result effectively locks the Saints into the number seven seed in the conference tournament with just two games left to play.

Madonna 72, Aquinas 68

The Saints started the game with threes from Donovan Brown-Boyd, Jared Lary, and Devon Boyd to put AQ ahead early. Brown-Boyd connected on another three to give the Saints four threes to start the game. However, the hosts rallied back to take a 21-20 advantage ten minutes into the contest.

More threes from Lary and Brown-Boyd swung the momentum back in Aquinas' favor as the team scored 31 points in the first 12 minutes of the game. The momentum swung back like a pendulum as the Crusaders responded with a 13-2 run to retake the lead with three minutes to go in the half.

Brown-Boyd scored his fourth shot from beyond the arc before the half ended with the two sides locked at 38.

The second half started with Madonna taking the first 10 points of the half. Similar to the first half, it was only natural for the Saints to respond with a run of their own to bring the score back within one after a pair of Brown-Boyd free throws.

Madonna continued to maintain a slim one-to-two possession lead with the clock winding down until Menalito McGee splashed a three to bring the contest back within one. Neither side was missing an opportunity down the stretch as the game remained extremely close. However, AQ couldn't quite close the gap as the Crusaders didn't miss any free throws at the end.

MU's 72-68 victory now gives the Crusaders six consecutive wins over the Saints with three of those games falling within four points.

By the Numbers

The close battle between the two teams was reflected in the box score. AQ had more points off turnovers (21-17), three-point percentage (41.7%-26.3%), and blocks (4-3). Madonna held the edge in field goal percentage (52%-46.2%), rebounds (31-18), assists (11-9), steals (8-5), and second-chance points (15-5).

Brown-Boyd led the team in scoring with 22 points, scoring four threes and converting all eight of his free throws. The sophomore grabbed four boards, two assists, and two steals while playing 36 minutes.

Boyd and Lary were also on the court for at least 34 minutes. Boyd scored 19 on 9-14 shooting while tallying two rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. Lary shot 5-12 including three threes for 15 points and added two rebounds, three assists, and three blocks to his stat line.

The trio combined for 56 of AQ's 68 points today.

Up Next

Crosstown rivals, Cornerstone, are next on the agenda this upcoming Wednesday (Feb. 21). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Aquinas will honor its seniors prior to the contest to recognize their hard work and dedication to the program for Senior Night.