Dearborn, Mich. – For the Aquinas men's basketball team, the question heading into Wednesday night was simple but uncomfortable: which version of the Saints would show up? The group that knocked off the top team in the WHAC, or the one that stumbled earlier this season against a UM-Dearborn team sitting at the bottom of the conference standings. Consistency and balance have been ongoing challenges for Coach Ryan Bertoia's squad, and while Saturday's road win at UNOH provided a step in the right direction, Wednesday's match-up with the Wolverines loomed large in a tight WHAC race where every game matters.

UM-Dearborn 73, Aquinas 63

The opening minutes set the tone for a physical, uneven night, as both teams struggled with turnovers and execution. Aquinas found early offense from Devon Boyd, who attacked off the dribble and finished with a team-high 16 points, while Caden Pokorzynski battled inside for nine points and nine rebounds. Despite flashes of good ball movement, the Saints had difficulty converting at the rim, leaving points on the floor as UM-Dearborn began to establish its presence in the paint.

UM-Dearborn carried a five-point lead into halftime, leaning heavily on Jackson Reynolds, who consistently broke down the defense and finished with a game-high 25 points. The Wolverines repeatedly found success attacking the lane, scoring 42 points in the paint compared to Aquinas' 34, a margin that proved decisive as the game wore on. The Saints also struggled to get into a rhythm offensively, shooting just 37 percent from the field and 26 percent from three for the night.

In the second half, Aquinas attempted to make multiple runs but could never fully close the gap. David Day provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, including timely perimeter shots, while Jacob Howard added eight points and four made free throws. Tjay Jones chipped in eight points and continued to battle on the glass, and Jordan Bledsoe dished out four assists while trying to keep the offense organized. However, turnovers remained an issue for both teams, with Aquinas committing 17 giveaways and UM-Dearborn finishing with 20, leading to a choppy flow that favored the Wolverines' inside attack.

As the final minutes ticked away, UM-Dearborn continued to punish Aquinas inside and at the free-throw line, preventing the Saints from generating the stops needed for a late push. Despite moments of effort and energy, Aquinas was unable to overcome its struggles in the paint and inconsistency on the offensive end, dropping a critical WHAC contest on the road.

With the loss, Aquinas moves to 9–13 overall and 7–10 in WHAC play, remaining tied for eighth place in the conference standings as the battle for the final postseason spots intensifies. UM-Dearborn improves to 6–17 overall and 5–12 in the WHAC, earning its second win of the season against the Saints.

Inside the Numbers
   • Aquinas committed 17 turnovers, while UM-Dearborn finished with 20
   • UM-Dearborn outscored Aquinas 42–34 in points in the paint
   • The Saints shot 37.1 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three
   • Aquinas scored 22 bench points, led by David Day
   • The Wolverines shot 50 percent overall and 53 percent in the second half

Coach's Comments
After the game, a frustrated Coach Ryan Bertoia pointed to areas that need immediate attention:
"We've got to find consistency, plain and simple," Bertoia said. "We can't keep talking about potential and flashes. We struggled to finish inside, we didn't defend the paint well enough, and we put ourselves in tough spots with turnovers. At this point in the season, those things have to get fixed fast."

Up Next
WHAC action continues Saturday afternoon in the second half of a basketball doubleheader between the Saints and the Gray Wolves of Lourdes. The men's game will tip approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the women's contest, or around 3:10 PM. The game will be streamed on the AQSaints Athletic Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.

Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage.