Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas women's basketball team delivered a thrilling finish during Holiday Hoops on Saturday, slipping past the Crusaders of Madonna 60–58 in a heart-pounding showdown. With the crowd on its feet in the final moments, the Saints stayed composed under pressure, and capitalized on late opportunities to secure the narrow victory. The back-and-forth battle featured multiple lead changes and relentless energy from both sides, but the Saints head into the holiday break on top. 

Aquinas 60, Madonna 58 

Madonna opened the scoring with the first basket of the night, but the Saints quickly caught fire from beyond the arc. Three-pointers from Brynn Reams, Isabel Reemsnyder, and Rhema Dozier fueled an early 9–5 Aquinas run. Reams continued to battle inside and knocked down a pair at the line to extend the margin to 11–5. Hope Kanouse checked in and added a free throw before McKenzie Munson followed with a jumper to push the lead to nine. Madonna answered with a three, but Dozier responded right back as the Saints closed the opening quarter in front, 19–13.

Paige Guernsey opened the second quarter with a quick bucket, but the Crusaders found their rhythm and chipped away at the lead, pulling within 23–18. Hannah Gillette halted the run with a layup, yet Madonna continued to battle and used a late surge to take a 33–26 lead into the break.

Reemsnyder sparked Aquinas to start the second half with a three, and Guernsey added two free throws to pull the Saints within two at 33–31. Reemsnyder stayed aggressive, finishing three layups and another three-pointer to flip the momentum and give AQ a 40–35 lead. The back-and-forth continued down the stretch of the third, but a pair of late threes from Reemsnyder and Dozier sent Aquinas into the final quarter ahead 46–39.

Munson opened the fourth with a quick basket and a free throw to make it 49–45. Reams and Reemsnyder each finished at the rim as the Saints extended the lead to 57–55 in the closing minutes. With the game hanging in the balance, Guernsey powered through traffic for a contested layup to give AQ a one-point edge at 59–58, then came up with a huge steal on the next possession and split a pair at the line. Madonna had a final look at a game-tying three, but Kanouse rose for the block at the buzzer to seal the Saints' 60–58 Holiday Hoops victory.

Coaches Comment 

"Our kids showed so much grit down the stretch," head coach Brian Morris said. "We didn't flinch when things got tight, we trusted each other, and we made winning plays on both ends. That's the kind of toughness you want to see in games like this, especially against physical teams."

Game Leaders

Points: Isabel Reemsnyder – 20

Rebounds: Paige Guernsey – 7

Steals: Paige Guernsey – 4