Grand Rapids, Mich. – Every athlete will eventually get to that point where there is a significant last time, and tonight, on Senior Night, many of the AQ soon-to-be graduates decided they wanted their final game on Coach Bo Court to be memorable. With a postseason bid hanging in the balance and bragging rights against archrival Cornerstone at stake, Wednesday night had all the ingredients of something very, very special.
Aquinas 91, Cornerstone 86
And special it was.
From the opening possession, the Saints played with purpose. Devon Boyd set the tone early, attacking the rim and knocking down perimeter shots as AQ built an early cushion. Jordan Bledsoe connected from deep, Cameron Moore found rhythm from beyond the arc, and Caden Pokorzynski battled inside as Aquinas raced to a 12-point first-half lead.
Cornerstone did not go quietly.
The Golden Eagles shot over 50 percent from the floor on the night and placed three players north of 20 points, answering every Saints run with one of their own. Still, AQ maintained control for much of the evening, taking a 46-42 advantage into halftime behind efficient shooting and relentless effort on the glass.
In the second half, the game tightened.
Every possession felt magnified. Every defensive stop felt like oxygen. Boyd continued to shoulder the offensive load, finishing with a game-high 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting while going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Pokorzynski recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, controlling the paint and giving AQ crucial second-chance opportunities. Bledsoe added nine points, while Moore delivered two enormous second-half three-pointers that shifted momentum back toward the burgundy and gold.
Jacob Howard provided a massive spark off the bench, pouring in 15 points in just 13 minutes, including a clutch three in the final stretch that brought the Sturrus to its feet. David Day chipped in nine, and Kaleb Mitchelson contributed timely minutes and interior toughness as the Saints fought off multiple Cornerstone surges.
Down the stretch, it became a free-throw contest — and the Saints did not blink.
Aquinas went 20-of-26 from the stripe on the night and closed the final seconds with composure. Boyd iced the game with clutch free throws in the closing moments, and when the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read 91-86 — a Senior Night victory over the rival Golden Eagles.
The Saints shot 46 percent from the floor, knocked down nine three-pointers, and forced 16 turnovers while playing with the urgency of a team that understands the moment.
On a night built around reflection, the graduating class made sure the final chapter on Coach Bo Court was written in bold.
Celebrating Seniors
Prior to tip-off, #1 Jacob Howard, #2 Jadakiss Lewis, #5 Devon Boyd, #12 Sammy Jacobs, #14 Cam Moore, #24 Kaleb Mitchelson, #25 Caleb Schuur, and #34 Caedmon Huff were honored for their commitment to the Aquinas program. And fittingly, several of them delivered in defining fashion.
Boyd led all scorers with 30 points, adding six assists and attacking the basket with relentless confidence. Howard exploded for 15 points in limited minutes, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and knocking down two triples that changed the tempo of the game. Moore buried two critical three-pointers and played steady perimeter defense in 30 high-pressure minutes. Mitchelson added three points, grabbed key rebounds, and provided toughness in the rotation. Huff logged minutes in the first half as part of the emotional Senior Night rotation, while the rest of the graduating class brought leadership and presence that doesn't always show up in a box score.
When the game tightened inside the final three minutes, it was the senior class that played with a mission — poised, aggressive, and determined not to let their final home appearance slip away.
Inside the Numbers
• 30 – Points from Devon Boyd, a Senior Night masterpiece
• 12 – Rebounds from Caden Pokorzynski in a double-double effort
• 28 – Bench points for the Saints
• 20 – Made free throws by AQ
• 3 – Game WHAC winning streak heading into the regular-season finale
Coach's Comments
After the game, Head Coach Ryan Bertoia reflected on the emotion and execution of the night:
"These nights are emotional — there's no way around it. You're saying thank-you, you're saying goodbye, and you're celebrating young men who have poured everything into this program. What I'm most proud of is how they responded when the game got tight. That's maturity. That's leadership. Dev, Howie, Cam — all of them — they refused to let this one slip. We're in a good place heading into the playoffs because of the habits this senior class has built. Tonight was about honoring them, and they honored this program right back."
Up Next
The Saints will look to close out the regular season — riding a season-high three-game WHAC winning streak — when they head to Ohio to challenge Lourdes. The Yellow Jackets and AQ are scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start or 20 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game. Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage.
