Grand Rapids, Mich. – If you are unfamiliar with WHAC conference games, this one may have had you shaking your head at the sheer physicality on display. Tuesday night's contest inside the Sturrus was a battle in every sense of the word, as Aquinas and Cleary traded blows for 40 minutes in a game that felt more like a postseason fight than a mid-January matchup. For the Saints, playing their first game since a heartbreaking loss to Indiana Tech, the response was emphatic, as Aquinas ground out a hard-earned victory over the Cougars.
Aquinas 57, Cleary 50
The opening half was tight and tense, with neither team able to establish much separation. Cleary held a narrow one-point edge at the break, while both defenses dictated the pace and forced tough looks on nearly every possession. Aquinas showed its resilience early, leaning on strong guard play from Rhema Dozier and Paige Guernsey to stay within striking distance despite shooting just under 30 percent in the opening quarter.
The tone shifted after halftime, as the Saints delivered their best stretch of basketball in the third quarter. Aquinas shot 50 percent from the field in the period and knocked down three triples, using a balanced offensive attack to outscore Cleary 19–14 and take control of the game. Dozier sparked the surge with timely baskets, while Hope Kanouse, Brynn Reams, and Hannah Gillette all connected from deep to help flip the momentum.
Dozier finished with a team-high 12 points, while Guernsey posted a complete all-around performance with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Isabel Reemsnyder added seven points and steady interior play, and Reams and Gillette chipped in seven points apiece off the bench. Emily Cline and MJ Mikus also made key contributions, combining for 10 points and seven rebounds as Aquinas leaned on its depth throughout the night.
The final two minutes perfectly captured the grit of the contest. With Cleary pressing and trimming the deficit, Aquinas remained composed, executing in critical moments on both ends of the floor. Dozier converted a driving layup to push the lead back to five, Guernsey found Dozier again for another bucket inside, and the Saints calmly closed things out at the free-throw line as Reams and Mikus knocked down late attempts to seal the 57–50 win. The most impressive part was that the two seniors, Guernsey and Cline, were on the bench after getting 5 fouls in the fourth quarter, and the team stood strong.
Coach's Comments
After the game, Head Coach Brian Morris was proud of how his team responded following a tough loss.
"This was a mature, resilient performance. We challenged our group after Indiana Tech, and the response tonight showed growth. The physicality, the poise down the stretch, and the way we trusted each other were all things you love to see as a coach."
Inside the Numbers
• Aquinas outscored Cleary 31–23 in the second half
• The Saints shot 46.2 percent from three-point range
• Aquinas recorded 14 assists on 18 made field goals
• The Saints forced 18 Cleary turnovers
• Cleary was held to just nine points in the fourth quarter
Up Next
The Saints will hit the road for another WHAC battle, traveling Saturday to Livonia to face Madonna in a match-up scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off. For complete coverage including stats, scores, highlights, and more, visit AQSaints.com.
