Rochester Hills, Mich. — The WHAC conference is unforgiving, and road tests only amplify the challenge. Every possession matters, every mistake is magnified, and no opponent will show sympathy when you stumble. For Coach Brian Morris and the Aquinas women's basketball team, Wednesday's trip to Rochester Hills served as another reminder of how narrow the margins are in league play. The Saints will look to turn the tough result into a valuable teaching moment as they continue navigating the demanding conference slate.

Rochester Christian 64, Aquinas 43

Aquinas opened the evening with early energy, getting four made free throws from Paige Guernsey and a three-pointer from Rhema Dozier, but the Saints struggled to generate sustained offense in the first period. In the second quarter, Leah French gave AQ a spark off the bench, knocking down a three and attacking downhill for seven points before halftime. French continued her strong play after the break, finishing with a team-high 17 points on an efficient shooting night.

Isabel Reemsnyder added eight points, including a confident fourth-quarter three, while also working the glass on both ends. Brynn Reams contributed seven points and battled for four rebounds, helping provide interior presence against a physical Warriors lineup. Guernsey, the current WHAC defensive player of the week, was active in every phase of the game, grabbing a team-high nine rebounds, dishing two assists, and collecting two steals, further showcasing her versatility.

Defensively, the Saints forced 13 turnovers and collected nine steals, with Dozier, French, and Guernsey all jumping passing lanes to create transition opportunities. Aquinas' bench provided valuable minutes, including Madelyn Smith's two late free throws and strong defensive shifts from Emilynne Braue, MJ Mikus, and Hannah Gillette. Despite improvements in ball movement and tempo during the second half, Rochester Christian's sharp perimeter shooting created separation that AQ couldn't overcome.

Even in the loss, Aquinas showed stretches of toughness and defensive grit — key traits they'll look to build upon moving forward.

Inside the Numbers

     • AQ forced 13 turnovers and recorded 9 steals
     • The Saints totaled 26 bench points
     • Leah French: 17 points, 7-of-12 shooting
     • Paige Guernsey: 9 rebounds, 4-of-4 FT, 2 steals

Coach's Comments

After the game, Head Coach Brian Morris discussed the bigger picture:

"We're continuing to learn what it takes to win in this league, especially on the road. The effort is there — now we need to match it with consistent execution. Games like this can become stepping stones if we respond the right way, and I'm confident this group will."

Up Next

Aquinas returns home on Saturday, December 6, for the annual Holiday Hoops Doubleheader. The Saints will host Madonna at 1:00 PM, with the men's game beginning 30 minutes later. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food and hygiene items to support the AQ Pantry. Santa will be in attendance, festive music will be playing, and family-friendly activities will take place throughout both games.

Visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage.