Grand Rapids, Mich. – Following the Thanksgiving break, it's been a strange stretch for the AQ Saints men's basketball program. One week before finals, Coach Joel Ledvina was filling in for an ill Coach Ryan Bertoia, the roster has been battling injuries, and the Saints were tasked with visiting one of the hottest teams in the WHAC. On paper, the set-up didn't scream "upset alert," but that's exactly what makes college basketball so compelling. Aquinas fought with grit for all forty minutes, matching the Warriors blow-for-blow. The Saints nearly completed a dramatic comeback, but Rochester Christian made just enough plays down the stretch to hold on.

Rochester Christian 77, Aquinas 75

Aquinas opened the game with strong guard play from Jordan Bledsoe and Devon Boyd, who combined for 19 points in the first half to keep AQ within striking distance. Bledsoe finished the night with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including three timely triples. Boyd followed with 16 points and provided crucial late-game drives that kept the Saints in the hunt.

Inside, Caden Pokorzynski delivered one of his best performances of the season with 11 points and six rebounds, giving Aquinas a strong interior presence. Off the bench, Samuel Medendorp continued his impressive stretch with eight points and seven boards, converting multiple finishes around the rim in key moments. Tjay Jones added 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while Nick Henry provided valuable late-game free throws to keep AQ within one possession.

The Saints trailed 42–32 at halftime but stormed back with a strong defensive effort in the second half. Aquinas tightened rotations, rebounded effectively, and outscored the Warriors 43–35 after the break. Solid minutes from Jacob Howard, Kaleb Mitchelson, and David Day helped the Saints keep pace despite a short-handed lineup. AQ won the rebounding battle 38–37 and piled up 28 bench points in what became a true team effort.

In the final minute, Aquinas made a furious push. Pokorzynski scored in the paint with 1:23 left to make it 75–71. After a defensive stop, Medendorp finished at the rim off a Boyd assist with 38 seconds remaining, trimming the deficit to two. Rochester answered with a jumper at 15 seconds, but Medendorp responded once more, scoring with seven seconds left to make it 77–75. The Saints fouled immediately, and after a missed free throw, AQ pushed the ball up the floor but couldn't get a clean look, following a timeout, before the clock expired. It was a valiant rally that came up inches short of forcing overtime or leaving with a win.

Inside the Numbers

     • Aquinas won the rebounding battle 38–37 

     • The Saints scored 32 points in the paint 

     • AQ posted 28 bench points 

     • The Saints shot 42% from the field 

     • Aquinas outscored Rochester Christian 43–35 in the second half 

Coach's Comments

After the game, acting Head Coach Joel Ledvina reflected on the effort:

"Our guys showed tremendous heart tonight. We've been battling injuries and illness, but the group never backed down. We put ourselves in position to win on the road, and if we keep competing with this level of toughness, good things are coming."

Up Next

The Saints now prepare to host Madonna on Saturday as part of the annual Holiday Hoops celebration. The women tip off at 1:00 PM, with the men scheduled for approximately 3:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food and hygiene items to support the AQ Pantry. The event will feature Christmas music, holiday trivia, and a visit from Santa Claus. Visit AQSaints.com for full coverage, live stats, and streaming information.