Women's Basketball Upended by Aquinas on the Road

(Grand Rapids, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar women's basketball team held a first quarter and halftime lead, but a difficult third quarter would be the difference, as the Aquinas Saints defeated Cleary 57-50 Wednesday evening.

The two teams would trade points to start the game in what proved to be a back and forth first half.  Caitlyn Rayl would make a layup with an and-one free throw to give Cleary a 7-5 lead in the early goings.  After a steal by Melanin Holman, the fast break layup would give Cleary a four point lead at 9-5.  Aquinas would climb back into the game, and would cut the Cleary lead to 13-12 by the end of the opening quarter.

Aquinas would open the second quarter by taking the lead, but Izzy Dugal would score five unanswered points to give the Cougars an 18-15 advantage.  Melanin Holman expanded the lead with a jumper, and another Izzy Dugal layup would give Cleary a 22-15 lead with 5:14 left in the half, the Cougars' largest lead of the game.  Aquinas would hang around, not allowing Cleary to pull away, and with Cleary still leading by four on the quarter's final possession, Aquinas would hit a three just before the halftime buzzer to make it a 27-26 game favoring Cleary.

The third quarter was back and forth, and a Jess Andrew layup with 4:22 gave Cleary a 37-34 lead.  The Saints would go on a run, outscoring Cleary 11-2 over the next 4:00 of game play, and taking a six point lead themselves.  Cleary would hit a couple of free throws to finish the quarter, and found themselves trailing 45-41 heading into the fourth quarter.

Cleary would trade baskets in the fourth quarter, but the Saints were able to answer, keeping Cleary at bay.  It wasn't until a Melanin Holman jumper with 2:20 left in the game, that Cleary was able to get the score within three points.  Aquinas would answer on the other end, forcing Cleary to foul down the stretch, and finishing the game by making their free throws, with a 57-50 final score. 

Izzy Dugal had 17 points and 10 rebounds, both game highs, to lead Cleary.  Melanin Holman would add 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists off the bench.

The game, which featured two teams entering the game tied for fourth place, had 9 lead changes and 6 ties.

Cleary falls to 10-9, 8-5 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will look to rebound on Saturday, January 24, when they travel back to Grand Rapids for a matchup with the Cornerstone Golden Eagles.  The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.