Lourdes jumped out to a 13-point lead after one quarter and led for nearly the entire contest on Wednesday evening as the Gray Wolves defeated Aquinas 68-64 inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
"We had great focus on coming out in the first half and being locked in and prepared for Aquinas' zone defense," head coach Tandy Bradford said afterwards.  "The first half helped us keep the confidence we needed when our shooting went cold for a bit.  The team did a great job supporting each other and staying confident in our game plan."
 
The Gray Wolves started fast, shooting 60% from the floor in the opening quarter.  Lourdes led 12-10 midway through the period before closing on a 13-2 run, in part due to forcing eight Saints turnovers in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The lead grew to 15 as Emma Pedroza (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S.) scored the first basket of the second quarter.  Aquinas then scored the next 13 points, pulling to within two before Mercedes Wagner (Sherwood, Ohio/Fairview H.S.) stopped the run.  Lourdes pushed the lead back to seven before the Saints fought back to tie the contest at 37 in the final minute.  Shae Pedroza (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S.) and Wagner tallied back-to-back baskets though to close the half, giving Lourdes a four-point lead heading into the locker room.
 
The lead remained between two and six throughout the third before growing to seven, 54-47, with 7:28 to play in the game.  Aquinas responded, scoring the next eight points to take its first lead of the game with 4:37 to play.  The Saints still led by one, 59-58, heading under two minutes when Winter Richburg (Toledo, Ohio/Rogers H.S.) started a 5-0 spurt for the Gray Wolves, giving the hosts the lead for good.  Logan Ingram (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant H.S.) followed with a three-point play before Lourdes' final six points of the game then came from the free throw line.
 
Wagner led Lourdes with 15 points while Emma Pedroza added 12 more.  Nadeen Jemaa (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg H.S.) made three three-pointers on the way to 11 points.
 
The Gray Wolves shot 41.1% from the floor to offset 58 turnovers while forcing 25 from the Saints.
 
Isabel Reemsnyder led Aquinas (3-5, 1-4 WHAC) with 23 points.
 
Lourdes (4-5, 2-4) remains at home on Saturday afternoon as the Gray Wolves entertain Lawrence Tech.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. inside the Ebeid Rec Center.