Grand Rapids, Mich. – Coming off a physical stretch of WHAC play, the Aquinas men's basketball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season on Wednesday night, pulling away in the second half for an 80–68 victory over Cleary inside the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center. The Saints set the tone early with defensive intensity and never trailed after the opening minutes, steadily building momentum on both ends of the floor.

Aquinas 80, Cleary 68

Aquinas took a 36–31 lead into halftime after weathering an early push from the Cougars, using balanced scoring and strong rebounding to control the tempo. Jordan Bledsoe jumpstarted the offense, finishing the night with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting performance, while Devon Boyd added 14 points and steady leadership in the backcourt. The Saints also controlled the glass in the opening half, led by Caden Pokorzynski's relentless work inside.

The second half belonged to Pokorzynski, who imposed his will in the paint and at the free-throw line. The junior finished with a game-high 23 points and an impressive 16 rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions and punishing Cleary for fouling. Aquinas shot nearly 79 percent from the free-throw line in the second half, turning defensive stops into points as the lead steadily grew.

Nick Henry provided a spark off the bench, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field for eight points, while David Day chipped in seven points and solid minutes on both ends. Kaleb Mitchelson added four points at the stripe and helped facilitate the offense, while Cameron Moore knocked down a timely three-pointer that helped stretch the margin midway through the half.

Defensively, the Saints forced 15 Cleary turnovers and converted them into 20 points, underscoring Aquinas' discipline and pressure throughout the night. Aquinas also held a decisive advantage in the paint, outscoring the Cougars 42–32 and limiting second-chance opportunities after halftime.

Over the final two minutes, Aquinas closed the game with poise and maturity. Pokorzynski sealed the outcome with a powerful dunk at the 1:20 mark following a steal, pushing the lead back to double digits. Mitchelson calmly knocked down two free throws with 51 seconds remaining, and the Saints finished strong at the line to secure the 80–68 victory.

Coach's Comments

Aquinas Men's Basketball Head Coach Ryan Bertoia was pleased with how his group responded and stayed connected throughout the night.

"This was a really mature performance by our guys," Bertoia said. "We defended with purpose, rebounded as a unit, and didn't let stretches of the game dictate how we played. After some tough moments recently, I loved the way this group stayed together, trusted the process, and finished the game the right way."

Inside the Numbers

• 23 points, 16 rebounds – Caden Pokorzynski

• 20 points off turnovers

• 76.7% from the free-throw line

• 42–32 advantage in points in the paint

Up Next

The Saints will continue WHAC play on Saturday, Jan. 24, traveling to Livonia, Michigan, for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff at Madonna. Aquinas will look to carry Tuesday night's momentum into another key conference matchup on the road. For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, recaps, and the latest team information, be sure to visit AQSaints.com.