Lourdes built a 21-point first half lead on Saturday afternoon, but Aquinas rallied in the second half to defeat the Gray Wolves 64-58 at the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
"We need to learn how to play a full game," head coach Karen McConnell said afterwards.  "When our offense is not clicking we need to rely on our defense and we didn't do that."
 
Lourdes scored 15 unanswered points in the first quarter, capped by a three-pointer from Lindsey Motycka (Convoy, Ohio/Crestview H.S.) to build a 17-4 lead after the opening period.  Another 11-0 run early in the second increased the lead to 28-7 after Niki Meyer (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center H.S.) connected on a jumper with 6:22 to play before halftime.  Aquinas rallied, closing the half on an 18-7 run to pull within 10, 35-25, at the break.
 
The Gray Wolves increased the lead to 13 in the third before 11 straight points by the hosts made it a 38-36 game midway through the third quarter.  Lourdes rebuilt an eight-point lead again, only to see the Saints close to within one, 44-43, heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
Lourdes maintained a three-point lead, 50-47, with 6:31 to play before eight straight points by the Saints put Aquinas on top for the first time all afternoon.  A three-point play by Jesse Fidler (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold H.S.) made 55-53 Saints as Lourdes pulled back within two with 3:05 to play, but Aquinas would make 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
Meyer led Lourdes with 17 points while Andrea Hodge (Westerville, Ohio/Central H.S.) added 14 points.  Fidler had 12 points but as a team the Gray Wolves shot just 35.5% from the floor, including 28.6% in the final 20 minutes.
 
"We didn't make shots, got in lots of foul trouble, and didn't box out, allowing 16 offensive boards in the first half," McConnell added.
 
McKenzie Breimayer led Aquinas (2-7, 1-2 WHAC) with 22 points while Kelsey Spitzley added 16 points and eight rebounds.
 
Lourdes (2-5, 0-3) will return home to Tam-o-Shanter on Tuesday evening as the Gray Wolves host Michigan-Dearborn.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.