Grand Rapids, Mich. – There's always concern that a team's first game back after the holiday break might come with a bit of rust, but the Aquinas men's basketball team put those worries to rest quickly on Saturday afternoon. Showing sharp execution and a focused edge from the opening tip, Coach Ryan Bertoia's Saints made a statement in the final "Battle of the Saints" on Coach Bo Court, defeating Siena Heights 71–59 to kick off the 2026 calendar year.

Aquinas 71, Siena Heights 59

Aquinas set the tone early by jumping out to a 30–20 halftime lead, using defensive pressure and timely perimeter shooting to control the pace. Devon Boyd led the charge, pouring in a game-high 22 points while knocking down all four of his three-point attempts and going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Caden Pokorzynski dominated the interior with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Tjay Jones and Jordan Bledsoe provided early energy to help AQ establish rhythm on both ends of the floor.

The Saints maintained control throughout the second half, answering every Siena Heights push with composure and balance. Boyd continued to stretch the defense with clutch shooting, while Cameron Moore connected on key triples and Jacob Howard chipped in solid minutes off the bench. Nick Henry, Samuel Medendorp, and Kaleb Mitchelson each made valuable contributions defensively as Aquinas limited Siena Heights to just two made three-pointers on the afternoon.

Down the stretch, the Saints closed the game with confidence at the free-throw line and on the glass, finishing 21-of-26 from the stripe while holding a 38–32 rebounding advantage. Pokorzynski sealed the win with a fast-break dunk in the final minute, punctuating a strong team effort that featured contributions throughout the rotation. Aquinas finished with 10 made three-pointers and never trailed, sending a clear message as the calendar flipped to the second half of the season.

Coach's Comments

After the game, Head Coach Ryan Bertoia reflected on the team's approach and outlook moving forward:

"I liked our focus today. We came back prepared, played with purpose, and stayed connected for 40 minutes. If we continue to defend, rebound, and share the ball the way we did today, I think this group has a chance to keep growing and playing its best basketball down the stretch."

Inside the Numbers

• 22 points from Devon Boyd, including 4-for-4 from three-point range
• 21 points and 9 rebounds from Caden Pokorzynski
• 52.6% shooting from beyond the arc (10-of-19)
• 21-of-26 at the free-throw line
• 38–32 rebounding advantage for Aquinas

Up Next

With the new semester still a week away, the Saints will stay busy with a pair of home games on the horizon. Aquinas returns to Coach Bo Court on Wednesday evening to host Lawrence Tech at 5:30 PM, then wraps up the week with a Sunday afternoon match-up against Defiance at 1:00 PM. For complete coverage including stats, scores, highlights, and more, be sure to visit AQSaints.com.