Box Score Grand Rapids, Mich. – With 4.8 seconds left, the Aquinas Saints had one last chance to pull off a dramatic victory. The ball found Isabel Reemsnyder, whose short jumper looked good—until it rimmed out, sealing a heartbreaking 62-61 defeat against Lourdes in the WHAC Tournament semifinals.
Aquinas controlled much of the game, building leads through the first three quarters and showcasing a strong defensive presence. However, a late fourth-quarter surge from Lourdes proved to be the difference, as the Grey-Wolves clawed back to steal the win and end AQ's championship hopes.
Game Recap
The Saints came out firing, leading 20-19 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 38-33 by halftime. Heading into the final period with a 51-43 lead, Aquinas seemed poised to close out a crucial win. But Lourdes ramped up the defensive pressure, outscoring AQ 19-10 in the fourth quarter to stage the comeback.
With under a minute remaining, Emma Pedroza nailed a clutch jumper to tie the game at 60-60, igniting the home crowd. A foul on the ensuing possession sent Lourdes to the free-throw line, where Reemsnyder converted one of two attempts to give the Grey-Wolves a 61-60 edge.
Aquinas responded once more, as Pedroza sank a mid-range jumper with just five seconds left to reclaim the lead at 62-61. But Lourdes had the final say. Coming out of a timeout, the Grey-Wolves executed quickly, and a contested jumper at the buzzer found the bottom of the net, ending Aquinas' tournament run in devastating fashion.
Breaking Down the numbers
The key statistical difference came on the boards, where Lourdes out-rebounded Aquinas 46-36, including a crucial 15-8 advantage on offensive rebounds. Shooting efficiency also played a role, as the Grey-Wolves hit 37.3% from the field compared to just 30% for the Saints.
Standout Performances:
Coach's Take
Despite the tough loss, Head Coach Brian Morris remained composed and optimistic.
"We knew it was going to come down to the wire—it was a tournament atmosphere, and they made one more shot than us. I'm very proud of our team and our season. Now we focus on growth and improvement, especially with us only losing one player. It was a great year."
Looking Ahead
While this wasn't the ending the Saints had envisioned, their journey this season was nothing short of inspiring. Coach Morris and his squad gave the AQ community plenty to cheer for, embodying the true spirit of perseverance and character.
Thank you, AQ Women's Basketball—you are champions in every sense of the word.
