Livonia, Mich. – The Aquinas men's basketball team faced an early deficit and spent the night battling back, but a strong offensive push from Madonna proved too much to overcome as the Saints fell 90–71 on Saturday. Aquinas showed fight throughout, cutting into the lead multiple times, but the Crusaders used runs in both halves to create separation.

Aquinas 71, Madonna 90

Madonna opened the scoring with a three to jump out to a 3–0 lead before Tjay Jones answered with a jumper to pull the Saints within one, 3–2. The two teams went scoreless for nearly two minutes until the Crusaders converted a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 5–2. Madonna followed with a quick five-point run before Devon Boyd broke the stretch at the line, 10–3.

Boyd sparked the Saints with a three-pointer and a layup, but the Crusaders continued to push the pace, stretching the margin to 21–8. Jordan Bledsoe knocked down a jumper and Jones went a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, though Aquinas still trailed by 12. The Saints chipped away as Jacob Howard added a bucket and David Day drained a three, but Madonna maintained control, leading 27–17.

Madonna built its advantage to 16 before Caden Pokorzynski converted two free throws to stop the run, 35–21. Day added another free throw late, but the Crusaders closed the half strong, sending the Saints into the break trailing 49–30.

The Crusaders opened the second half by extending the lead to 21. Jones responded with two free throws and a layup, while Bledsoe added another bucket, but Madonna answered with four quick points to hold a 58–36 advantage. Caleb Mitchelson got on the board for Aquinas before the Crusaders rattled off 10 unanswered points to push the lead to 71–40.

Cameron Moore knocked down a three-pointer, Boyd converted both free throws, and Bledsoe finished a layup to cut the deficit to 73–47. With just under five minutes remaining, Madonna widened the margin to 26 at 83–57. Aquinas continued to battle down the stretch as Caedmon Huff went 2-for-2 at the line and Malachi Denbraber added a bucket, but the Saints were unable to close the gap, falling 90–71.

Coaches Comments 

"I liked our effort and the way we continued to compete, but we didn't execute when it mattered, and that's what cost us tonight. You can't give a team such long runs and expect to stay in the game. We have to be sharper, more disciplined, and hold ourselves accountable on every possession, but I'm proud of the way our guys stayed together and fought until the final buzzer." stated Head Coach Ryan Bertoia

By the Numbers

• Bledsoe, Jones, and Huff all had 100% shooting percentages from the free-throw line

• Bledsoe led the Saints in scoring with 14 points

• Pokorzynski nabbed four rebounds and 2 steals 

• Trey Chmielewski, Moore, and Pokorzynski all swatted one block 

Up Next

The Saints will look to redeem themselves next Wednesday, Jan. 28th, at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Rochester Christian on their home court.