Gary, Ind. — Opening night for the 2025–26 Aquinas College Women's Basketball season was anything but ordinary, as the Saints hit the road to take on Indiana Northwest in a thrilling non-conference match-up. After months of preparation and anticipation, Head Coach Brian Morris' squad showed they were more than ready to compete, overcoming adversity and an intense Red Hawk comeback to secure a gritty, season-opening victory inside the Savannah Center.

Aquinas 53, Indiana Northwest 52

The Saints came out firing on all cylinders, locking down defensively and holding the Red Hawks to just 12 first-half points while building a 25–12 lead. Sophomore guard Rhema Dozier set the tone early, scoring five points in the opening quarter and finishing with 14 points on the night, while senior forward Paige Guernsey dominated the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds. Aquinas' defensive energy, led by Hannah Gillette and Hope Kanouse, frustrated Indiana Northwest throughout the first two quarters as the Saints controlled the tempo. Senior guard Isabel Reemsnyder was a difference-maker off the bench, scoring a team-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three triples.

The Red Hawks roared back in the second half, using a 20-point third quarter to cut into the Aquinas advantage. Down the stretch, both teams traded momentum swings, with Dozier and Reemsnyder delivering clutch shots to keep the Saints ahead. Gillette provided a crucial spark in the fourth with a pair of threes and two late free throws, while Guernsey's rebounding and Brynn Reams' defensive hustle proved pivotal in the closing moments. With under 10 seconds remaining and the Saints clinging to a slim lead, Gillette calmly sank both free throws to make it a two-possession game. Indiana Northwest hit a desperation three at the buzzer, but it wasn't enough — Aquinas held on for the 53–52 win to start the season 1–0.

Inside the Numbers
     • Reemsnyder led the way with 16 points, going 3-for-7 from beyond the arc.
     • Dozier added 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
     • Guernsey pulled down 11 rebounds to pace the Saints' effort on the boards.
     • Aquinas shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line and forced 21 turnovers.

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Brian Morris spoke about the game and the challenges of winning on the road:
"Played well defensively this evening in the first half; ladies executed the scout extremely well. Second half we struggled against their zone offensively, and I think it affected our defense due to them keeping us on our heels offensively. We spoke about the game being a roller coaster and we just had to hold on tight to finish the ride. It's hard to win on the road and I think we gained some confidence tonight."

Up Next
The Saints will return to campus for their home opener on Wednesday, November 5, when they host the Jaguars of Governors State. That game will be streamed live on the AQ Athletic Network, with Joey Sutherlin providing the play-by-play. Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for information, stats, and a full recap of all the action.