GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The wait is over, basketball is back at the Sturrus! The Aquinas men's basketball team tipped off its 2025–26 campaign on Saturday afternoon with all the sights, sounds, and anticipation of a new season. With a fresh offense, two new assistant coaches on the bench, and plenty of new faces on the floor, the Saints brought energy and enthusiasm to their home opener against Ohio Christian. The crowd was ready, the band was loud, and while the game didn't end in favor of AQ, it provided a first glimpse of the growth and potential that's building within Coach Ryan Bertoia's squad.

Ohio Christian 84, Aquinas 70

The first half proved to be a tough adjustment period for the Saints, who struggled to find their rhythm early against the Trailblazers' full-court defensive pressure. Senior guard Devon Boyd battled to keep the Saints within reach, finishing with a team-high 16 points and five rebounds, while David Day added nine points and four assists. Ohio Christian jumped out to a 44–21 halftime lead behind efficient perimeter shooting and second-chance points, but the Saints refused to fold.

Aquinas came out with renewed energy in the second half, outscoring Ohio Christian 49–40 after the break. Red shirt sophomore forward Caden Pokorzynski provided a major spark off the bench, posting 15 points, 10 rebounds, and multiple power finishes inside. Jordan Bledsoe added 12 points and a team-high three steals, while Malachi Denbraber and Cameron Moore both contributed clutch three-pointers to fuel the rally. The Saints' bench combined for 35 points, a promising sign for the team's depth moving forward.

Despite trimming the deficit to as close as 12 late in the second half, the early hole proved too steep to climb. Still, the fight shown in the closing 20 minutes — along with solid rebounding numbers (37 total) and a much-improved shooting percentage — offered a strong foundation for what lies ahead.

Coach Bertoia on the Loss

Following the game, Head Coach Ryan Bertoia reflected on his team's performance:
"This was our first time running a brand-new offense with two new assistant coaches on the bench, so naturally there's going to be a learning curve. But what I loved was our energy and enthusiasm from start to finish. We're growing together, figuring things out, and once the chemistry sets in, I think fans will see a team that competes with great passion every night."

By the Numbers

• 35 bench points for AQ, led by Pokorzynski's 15 and Bledsoe's 12
• 10 rebounds by Pokorzynski, his first double-double of the season
• 20 points off turnovers for Aquinas
• 37 total rebounds, with 10 offensive boards helping fuel the second-half push

Up Next

The Saints will have a week to practice, review film, and prepare for the inaugural Drury Inn Classic on Friday and Saturday. On Friday night, AQ will host Wright State–Lake at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, they'll take on Saint Xavier at 4 p.m. Both games will stream live on the AQ Saints Athletic Network, with Joey Sutherlin providing play-by-play coverage. Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com for up-to-date stats, stories, photos, and recaps throughout the season.