Grand Rapids, Mich. – Rivalry night delivered the expected energy and emotion on Wednesday at Mol Arena, as Aquinas squared off with backyard WHAC foe Cornerstone in a game that lived up to its billing. The Saints came out sharp early, jumping to a quick 7–0 lead behind baskets from Caden Pokorzynski, Devon Boyd, and Tjay Jones, but the Golden Eagles quickly found their rhythm from the perimeter. Cornerstone's shooting surge swung momentum midway through the first half, allowing the hosts to take a 36–32 lead into the break. Despite the early punch, AQ stayed composed and within striking distance thanks to steady contributions across the line-up. Cornerstone ultimately pulled away late to secure the win.
Cornerstone 95, Aquinas 83
Aquinas battled throughout the second half, trimming the deficit with strong interior play and trips to the free-throw line. Pokorzynski anchored the Saints with a team-high 18 points and an impressive 14 rebounds, repeatedly attacking the paint and cleaning up on the glass. Cameron Moore provided a spark from the perimeter, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to 12 points, while David Day added 13 points off the bench with timely scoring. Boyd chipped in 11 points and four assists, and Samuel Medendorp was perfect from the field, contributing eight points in limited minutes.
As the game wore on, Cornerstone's efficiency proved difficult to overcome, particularly from long range. The Golden Eagles shot better than 56 percent from both the field and beyond the arc, stretching the lead to as many as 23 points midway through the second half. Still, the Saints continued to compete until the final horn, with late baskets from Jordan Bledsoe, Jacob Howard, Caedmon Huff, and Day underscoring AQ's depth and resilience. The effort reflected the character of a group that refused to back down, even as the margin widened.
Despite the result, the Saints showed flashes of the balanced attack and toughness that have defined their season. With multiple players contributing on both ends and a willingness to attack the glass and the rim, Aquinas will look to build on those positives as conference play continues. The rivalry atmosphere once again delivered a memorable night, and the lessons learned will serve AQ well moving forward.
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Ryan Bertoia had much to say following the backyard battle with the Golden Eagles:
"Rivalry games expose everything, and tonight Cornerstone made shots at an elite level. I loved our fight and our togetherness, especially in the first half, but we have to be sharper defensively for 40 minutes. This group continues to compete, and now it's about learning from this one and responding the right way."
Inside the Numbers
• 18 points and 14 rebounds from Caden Pokorzynski – aka a double-double
• 34 bench points for Aquinas
• 19-of-28 shooting from the free-throw line
• Cornerstone shot over 56% from the field
• AQ had five players score eight or more points
Up Next
The challenges keep coming for the Saints. After squaring off with archrival Cornerstone on Wednesday, AQ now turns its attention to another major test, welcoming WHAC powerhouse Indiana Tech to town on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM, or 20 minutes after the completion of the women's game, with the stage set for a thrilling conference clash. For complete coverage of AQ Athletics, visit AQSaints.com.
