Sylvania, OH – Every WHAC conference game is a battle, and Friday afternoon proved just how thin the margin for error can be. Aquinas struggled to find its footing early, and despite a spirited second-half push, the Saints couldn't fully erase the damage from a sluggish opening stretch, falling on the road to Lourdes. The Gray Wolves capitalized on early momentum, jumping out to a double-digit lead as AQ labored through a cold shooting start. Lourdes carried a 35–24 advantage into the break, forcing the Saints to chase the game for the final 20 minutes.

Lourdes 77, Aquinas 69

Aquinas responded with far more urgency in the second half, outscoring Lourdes 45–42 after the intermission and repeatedly cutting into the deficit. Freshman Jordan Bledsoe delivered a breakout performance, pouring in a game-high 22 points while knocking down four triples and attacking the rim with confidence. Devon Boyd added 20 points and was a steady presence at the free-throw line, while Caden Pokorzynski continued his strong WHAC play with 18 points and seven rebounds in the paint. Tjay Jones contributed six points and six rebounds, battling on the glass and providing energy on both ends. Cameron Moore didn't score, but impacted the game with three assists and defensive effort, while Kaleb Mitchelson chipped in off the bench. Jacob Howard, Samuel Medendorp, and Nick Henry all logged key minutes as the Saints rotated bodies in an effort to change tempo.

Despite multiple late pushes that trimmed the margin to single digits, Lourdes answered each run with timely baskets and free throws to seal the outcome. Aquinas finished strong but ultimately couldn't overcome the early hole, a familiar lesson in the unforgiving WHAC race.

Inside the Numbers
     • Jordan Bledsoe led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep
     • Devon Boyd added 20 points and went 8-of-9 at the free-throw line
     • Caden Pokorzynski posted 18 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes
     • Aquinas shot 51.6% from the field in the second half after a 21.4% first-half mark

Coach's Comments
Riding home after the game, Head Coach Ryan Bertoia spoke about his team and the game:
"Got off to a slow start, it took us 25 minutes to get going, and that's too late for a quality team like Lourdes. Closing the gap from close games to winning is the hardest part. But there are bright spots. Jordan Bledsoe is playing very well as a freshman in the starting lineup. We are battling and trying to get healthy."

Up Next
The Saints finally return home on Wednesday night to host UNOH in the second game of a basketball doubleheader at the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center. The women's contest tips off at 5:30 PM, with the men's game scheduled to begin approximately 20 minutes after its conclusion. Joey Sutherlin will have the call on the AQ Athletic Network. Visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and complete game coverage.