Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas women's basketball team battled through four intense quarters and delivered a clutch finish, as Isabel Reemsnyder drilled a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds to lift the Saints to a thrilling 58–57 victory over Rochester Christian on Wednesday (Jan 28) night.
Aquinas 58, Rochester 57
Rochester Christian opened the contest with a quick 5–0 run, but Emily Cline responded at the free-throw line and Paige Guernsey followed with a jumper to cut the deficit to 5–4. The Warriors regained momentum with seven unanswered points to stretch their lead to 12–4 before Hannah Gillette halted the run with a jumper. Aquinas continued to chip away at the margin, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Gillette and Guernsey, trimming the gap to 16–14. Rochester Christian closed the quarter strong with two jumpers to hold a 20–14 advantage after one.
The Saints came out firing in the second quarter as Cline, Reemsnyder, and Guernsey each connected on jumpers to knot the score at 20–20. Guernsey then converted an and-one opportunity to give Aquinas its first lead, 23–20. The Warriors responded with an 8–0 run to reclaim the lead at 28–23. Reemsnyder answered with a three off a pass from Hope Kanouse and added a jumper moments later to tie the game once again at 28–28. After Rochester Christian edged ahead briefly, Reemsnyder buried another triple to send the Saints into halftime with a narrow 31–30 lead.
Aquinas opened the second half with a layup before both teams settled into a defensive battle, going scoreless for nearly three minutes. Rochester Christian broke the drought with a fast-break bucket, but Rhema Dozier answered with a jumper to keep AQ in front, 35–32. Dozier continued her strong play by knocking down a three-pointer off an assist from Gillette, giving the Saints their largest lead of the night at 38–32. The Warriors battled back to tie the game at 41–41 late in the third quarter, but Gillette hit a timely jumper to give Aquinas a 44–43 edge heading into the final period.
Rochester Christian opened the fourth quarter with four straight points to regain the lead, 47–44, and later built a 53–48 advantage as the teams traded baskets. Reemsnyder and Cline each knocked down a pair of free throws to pull the Saints within one, 53–52. With under a minute remaining, the score was tied at 55–55 before the Warriors connected on a jumper to take a 57–55 lead with 14 seconds left. Out of a timeout, Aquinas executed its final possession to perfection as Reemsnyder rose up and buried a clutch three-pointer, sealing a 58–57 victory for the Saints.
Coaches Comments
"Our effort on both ends of the floor was huge tonight," said head coach Brian Morris. "There were stretches where we had to battle, and our girls never backed down. That toughness showed up when it mattered most."
By the Numbers
Up Next
The women's basketball team is traveling to Lima Ohio to take on the UNOH Racers at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday (Jan 31).
