In a game that had 10 ties and 15 lead changes, Aquinas closed the game on a 13-3 run on Saturday afternoon as the Saints rallied from a fourth quarter deficit to defeat Lourdes 54-52 at the Sturrus Sports & Recreation Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
The team played tough today, but we just had a couple of lapses down the stretch that hurt us," head coach John Kenger said afterwards.  "Tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity to play basketball."
 
The entire opening quarter and a half was a one possession game either way until the Saints pushed their lead to four, 22-18, with 4:48 to play before halftime.  The game remained tight into the break as Aquinas led 26-24 after 20 minutes.
 
Lourdes scored the first six points in the third and was able to even the game at 41 heading into the final 10 minutes.  An 8-0 spurt by the Gray Wolves, including a pair of three-pointers by Mary Liedel (Erie, Mich./Mason H.S.), allowed Lourdes to build a 49-41 lead with 7:39 to play.
 
Aquinas battled back, tying the game at 49 before Kailani Broyles (Massillon, Ohio/Washington H.S.) made a triple to put the Gray Wolves back on top 52-49 with 3:46 left.
 
The Saints tied the game on a layup by Marissa Brady with 28 seconds to play and pulled in front on a pair of free throws with nine ticks left on the clock.  Lourdes had one final chance, but the three-point attempt as time expired missed the mark.
 
Liedel led Lourdes with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Broyles added 11 points off the bench.  Sara Semler (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer H.S.) handed out nine assists.
 
Marissa Brady led Aquinas (3-5, 3-5 WHAC) with 23 points and 11 rebounds while JaKarri Alven added 12 points for the Saints.
 
Lourdes (4-8, 3-5) will return home to the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center for the final time in 2020-2021 on Sunday afternoon as the Gray Wolves host Siena Heights.  Tip-off is set for noon.