Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play began for Lourdes on Wednesday evening, and the Gray Wolves suffered an 82-50 setback to Aquinas at the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
A 20-5 run by the Saints in the first quarter allowed the hosts to build an early 23-7 lead, and Lourdes would be unable to cut its deficit to single digits the rest of the game.  The Saints led 28-13 after the opening period, going to the free throw line nine times, and making seven, in the first 10 minutes.
 
"We got away from what made us successful Saturday against Milligan," head coach Summer Quesenberry said.  "We had a lack of focus tonight and Aquinas took advantage of our mental deficits."
 
The Gray Wolves played nearly even with the Saints in the second, shooting 50% from the floor, but still trailed 21-17 at the break.  In the third, Aquinas pulled away with a 20-2 run, and led 71-38 heading into the final 10 minutes.  Lourdes went on a 14-3 spurt spanning the third and fourth quarter, but was unable to get any closer.
 
Elayna Ackerman (Fremont, Ohio/Ross H.S.) and Jesse Fidler (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold H.S.) led Lourdes with eight points, with Ackerman also pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds.  The Gray Wolves shot just 28.2% from the floor on the night, but was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
 
Hannah Brefeld led Aquinas (6-2, 1-0 WHAC) with 19 points, making 8-of-11 from the floor, while Ashley Bunker added 17 points.  Carley Andrews pulled down 10 boards as the Saints outrebounded Lourdes 53-37 on the evening.
 
Lourdes (0-6, 0-1) returns home on Saturday afternoon as the Gray Wolves host Michigan-Dearborn.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.