Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with Defiance on Sunday night, battling through multiple lead changes and a physical second half before ultimately falling 75–71 in a tightly contested match-up. The Saints showed resilience throughout, answering every run and keeping the game within reach until the final seconds, but late free throws from the Yellow Jackets sealed the outcome.

Aquinas 71, Defiance 75

Although the Yellow Jackets struck first, the Saints responded, rattling off nine straight points highlighted by a layup from Devon Boyd and seven points from Caden Pokorzynski to take a 9–2 lead. Defiance answered with four points, but Aquinas quickly countered as Pokorzynski added four more and Cameron Moore finished a layup to push the advantage to 15–8.

Samuel Medendorp and Mershon Dickerson checked in and made an immediate impact, each scoring a layup to extend the Saints' lead to 19–13. Defiance then found its rhythm, stringing together nine unanswered points to surge ahead 22–19. The Yellow Jackets continued to build momentum, but Jacob Howard knocked down two clutch free throws to cut the deficit to one, 26–25.

Nick Henry delivered a key spark late in the half, converting a layup and completing the three-point play at the line, though Aquinas still trailed 31–28. The Saints closed the half strong as David Day finished at the rim and Howard buried a deep three-pointer, sending Aquinas into the break with a 33–31 lead.

Pokorzynski opened the second half with a jumper, followed by a layup and free throw from Jordan Bledsoe to give the Saints a 38–31 edge. A Yellow Jacket's three cut the lead, and  Moore added a free throw to make it 39–34. Defiance then knocked down two triples to briefly take a one-point advantage, but Boyd answered with two free throws and Bledsoe finished a layup to put Aquinas back in front, 43–41.

A Defiance layup tied the game, but the Saints responded with a five-point run to extend their lead to 48–43. The Yellow Jackets chipped away, eventually knotting the score at 54–54. The two teams traded baskets as the intensity ramped up in the closing minutes.

Momentum shifted in favor of Defiance as they pulled ahead 66–61 with four minutes remaining. The Yellow Jackets stretched the lead to seven, but Pokorzynski sank four free throws and a layup while Moore added a jumper to bring Aquinas within one, 70–69. With 22 seconds left, the Saints trailed by two, but Defiance sealed the game at the line, and Aquinas ultimately fell 75–71.

Coaches Comments 

 "That one hurts because we had opportunities to win the game, especially at home," Head Coach Bertoia said. "We didn't lose because of effort or competitiveness — we lost because of some self-inflicted mistakes at critical moments. If we want to be a top team in the WHAC, those are the things we have to clean up. The margin is too thin in this league, and games like this show you very clearly where your growth still needs to happen."  

By the Numbers

• Caden Pokorzynski lead the Saints with 21 points, eight rounds, and four blocks 

• Jordan Bledsoe and Kaleb Mitchelson claimed three assists while Devon Boyd and Nick Henry trailed with two a piece

• Pokorzynski, Boyd, Henry and Bledsoe all went 100% from the free throw line

• Pokorzynski was flawless from the floor, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 on the night, including 1-for-1 from beyond the arc, and knocking down all six of his free throw attempts