Grand Rapids, Mich. – To win in the WHAC, you cannot rely on one or two players. It is a team sport, and success in the grind of conference play demands a complete, collective effort. That message has been preached daily by Head Coach Brian Morris, and on Saturday afternoon in Livonia, his Aquinas Women's Basketball team delivered a textbook example of what that philosophy looks like in action.
Aquinas 83, Madonna 60
The Saints set the tone early and never looked back, racing out to a commanding first-quarter lead and methodically building separation over all four quarters. Aquinas shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the field, forcing Madonna to play from behind almost immediately and dictating pace on both ends of the floor.
Leading the charge was Paige Guernsey, who once again looked every bit the WHAC Player of the Week, pouring in a game-high 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Guernsey controlled the game in all facets, pushing tempo, finding shooters, and finishing strong around the rim.
Emily Cline provided a steady interior presence, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Rhema Dozier added 10 points and knocked down a pair of timely three-pointers to keep momentum firmly on Aquinas' side. Isabel Reemsnyder filled the stat sheet with nine points, five assists, and relentless defensive pressure that disrupted Madonna's offensive rhythm.
The Saints' depth again proved to be a difference-maker, as Aquinas received meaningful contributions up and down the lineup. Leah French delivered six points, highlighted by two three-pointers, while MJ Mikus, Hannah Gillette, Brynn Reams, Madelyn Smith, Lakely Bottum, and Mary Gadwood each chipped in with energy, defense, and timely plays that never allowed the Crusaders to mount a serious run.
Defensively, Aquinas was locked in, holding Madonna to just 39.1 percent shooting and forcing 15 turnovers that turned into 19 points on the other end. The Saints also dominated the paint, outscoring Madonna 40–30 inside, a testament to both interior execution and unselfish ball movement.
Perhaps most telling was the balance: Aquinas finished with 18 assists on 32 made field goals and controlled the glass with a 34–26 rebounding advantage, continuing a trend of disciplined, connected basketball that has defined this group's growth as the season progresses.
With the win, Aquinas improves to 12–7 overall and 10–4 in WHAC play, while Madonna falls to 6–14 overall and 3–11 in conference action.
Saints Superlative
Congratulations to #25 Paige Guernsey, a 5'8" senior guard out of Saranac High School, who reached another career milestone in Saturday's win over Madonna by securing her 500th career rebound late against the Crusaders. The Education major continued her pursuit of a triple-double, finishing the afternoon with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, once again impacting the game on every level. With performances like this becoming the norm, could Guernsey be destined for yet another WHAC Player of the Week honor? We'll find out Monday.
Coach's Comments
After the game, Head Coach Brian Morris emphasized both the progress and the standard his team continues to chase.
"I really like the way this group is growing and maturing together," Morris said. "We're starting to see the benefits of our depth and our unselfish play, but we can't let up. There's still plenty to clean up, and the work doesn't stop if we want to be playing our best basketball when it matters most."
Inside the Numbers
- 57.1% – Aquinas shooting from the field
- 26 – Points from Paige Guernsey to lead all scorers
- 40–30 – Advantage for AQ in points in the paint
- 18 – Assists on 32 made field goals
- 12 Saints grabbed a rebound with 11 AQ players scoring in the game
Up Next
Aquinas looks to keep the momentum rolling when the Saints return home to the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on Wednesday. AQ will host Rochester Christian in the opener of a basketball doubleheader on Coach Bo Court, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The match-up features two of the top three teams in the WHAC and will be streamed live on the AQSaints Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, highlights, and more, visit AQSaints.com.
