Grand Rapids, Mich. – Whatever Head Coach Brian Morris said to his team before tipping off the 2026 calendar, it's worth bottling. In the final "Battle of the Saints" between Aquinas and Siena Heights—marking the last meeting before Siena Heights disbands athletics at the conclusion of the academic year—Aquinas set the tone early and never relinquished control, showcasing depth, balance, and sustained energy in an impressive 85–66 WHAC victory on Friday afternoon.

Aquinas 85, Siena Heights 66

Aquinas established its presence from the opening quarter, edging ahead 15–14 before finding separation in the second period behind a steady offensive rhythm and strong interior play. Paige Guernsey anchored the Saints on both ends, finishing with a game-high 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting while pulling down 12 rebounds to post a dominant double-double. Rhema Dozier added 15 points, knocking down three triples and helping AQ stretch the floor, while Isabel Reemsnyder chipped in 11 points and key defensive plays as the Saints carried a 37–24 lead into halftime.

The Saints delivered their most complete stretch coming out of the locker room, erupting for 30 third-quarter points while answering every Siena Heights push. Hannah Gillette provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including timely free throws and finishes in transition, while Leah French and Brynn Reams combined to keep the offense flowing with smart passing and spacing. Aquinas shot nearly 69 percent from the field in the third quarter, using ball movement and inside touches to extend the lead to double digits for good.

Down the stretch, Coach Morris continued to lean on depth as the Saints maintained defensive pressure and controlled the glass. Emily Cline, Hope Kanouse, Madelyn Smith, and Lakely Bottum each made valuable contributions, with Bottum scoring efficiently in limited minutes and French adding five points and three assists. Aquinas finished the afternoon with 20 assists on 33 made field goals and a commanding 47–25 rebounding advantage, closing out the contest with poise to begin 2026 on a high note.

Coach's Comments

After the game, Head Coach Brian Morris reflected on the strong start to the new year:

"I loved our approach today. We played connected, we shared the ball, and we stayed disciplined on both ends for four quarters. That's the standard we're trying to build as we move through the rest of the season, and I thought our depth really showed."

Inside the Numbers

• 27 points from Paige Guernsey, along with 12 rebounds for a double-double, just missing the triple double (7 assists in the game, also 1 steal, 1 block)
• 49.3% shooting from the field for the Saints
• 20 assists on 33 made baskets
• 47–25 rebounding advantage for Aquinas
• 30 points scored by AQ in the third quarter

Up Next

While classes are still a week away, the Saints will remain busy with two home contests coming up this week. Aquinas will host Lawrence Tech on Wednesday at 5:30 PM before returning to action Sunday afternoon against Defiance at 1:00 PM. Be sure to stay up to date with all AQ Athletics by regularly checking AQSaints.com for stats, scores, highlights, and much more.