Grand Rapids, Mich. – Aquinas returned home from its three-game road stand tonight to play inside the Sturrus Center for the first time since January 24th. AQ matched into the floundering Cleary Cougars and picked up a dominant 21-point win.

AQ's win improves its record to 12-11 and 9-8 in conference play. Cleary's struggling season continues as it is now 1-21 and 1-16 in WHAC play.

Aquinas 80, Cleary 59

Aquinas quickly established a large lead with Jared Lary working as the Saints' primary offensive weapon over the first 12 minutes of the game. He scored 12 points over the first 12 minutes as AQ took a 29-13 lead.

The pace of the game slowed down a bit following Lary's run. Donovan Brown-Boyd converted a layup with 2:35 remaining on the clock and Cleary responded with a quick three. Those would be the last two buckets scored in the half as the teams entered the locker rooms with the score 36-22 in favor of Aquinas.

That slower pace of play continued into the second half. AQ only managed to score six points over the first seven minutes of the half, allowing the Cougars to narrow the deficit to just six points. Lary hit a tough three-point play to end the Cleary run and begin to shift the momentum.

Brown-Boyd followed up with a three-point play of his own and then Devon Boyd swished a three to swing the momentum meter all the way towards Aquinas.

The Saints dropped 29 points over the final 12 minutes of the game for a dominant 21-point victory. That was the largest margin of victory that AQ has won by since beating Governors State by 21 earlier this season.

By the Numbers

Despite the score, Cleary outpaced AQ in points off turnovers (16-10), second-chance points (14-10), and bench points (28-16). However, Aquinas dominated in field goal percentage, shooting over 50 percent from the field to Cleary's 32.1%.

In addition, AQ led in rebounds (36-34), assists (20-7), blocks (4-3), steals (8-7), and points in the paint (34-20).

Lary set a new personal best today with 22 points. He shot an impressive 8-13 from the field and 2-6 from three while grabbing six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

Boyd tied his career-high of 16 points, shooting 4-5 from the field, 2-3 from three, and 6-8 from the charity stripe.

Brown-Boyd posted his first career double-double after recording a career-best 10 rebounds and 19 points. The guard from Grand Rapids shot 7-17 and picked up a steal in the win.

The trio of Lary, Boyd, and Brown-Boyd combined for 57 of AQ's 80 points.

Up Next

Aquinas is back at home this weekend (Feb. 10) to take on UM-Dearborn for an important conference matchup. The tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. inside the Sturrus Center.