Siena Heights Men Drop Non-Conference Game to Aquinas

CHICAGO, Ill -- The Siena Heights men's basketball team dropped its last game at the Saint Xavier (Ill.) Midwest Tournament, suffering a 71-58 non-conference loss to fellow Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference member Aquinas on Thursday night.



Cecil Clark (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) and Nick Kosovich (Shelby Township, Mich./Romeo) led SHU with 13 points apiece. Clark was named to the All-Tournament Team.



Vince Schantz (Wyandotte, Mich./Allen Park Cabrini) added 10 points and six rebounds. Chris Lemm (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) also hauled down six boards.



Aquinas led from wire-to-wire after taking the lead on its first possession. The Maroon and White (6-10) raced to a 26-5 lead, getting six points apiece from Brett Pfahler and Kevin Grant.



Siena Heights (4-11) then rallied with a 22-6 stretch of its own -- getting points from seven scorers -- before Aquinas ended the half with an 11-2 streak. Aquinas led 43-29 at the break.



In the second half, the Blue and Gold chipped away early, outscoring Aquinas, 18-7, to pull within 50-47. Kosovich had seven points during the rally while Kosovich put in six.



Andre Johnson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) brought SHU even closer, hitting a jumper with 6:45 as Siena Heights closed its deficit to 55-53.



Clark scored the Blue and Gold's final points, burying a trey with 4:03 remaining to forge a 62-58 Aquinas score.



The Maroon and White then scored the game's last nine points. During the final five minutes, the victors were 9 of 10 from the free throw line.



Ken Gordon led Aquinas with 15 points and Pfahler put in 13 points. Joe Powers added 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Jake Shockey contributed a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.



In other tournament action, Columbia (Mo.) defeated Saint Ambrose (Iowa), 72-62, to win the tournament championship. Saint Xavier (Ill.), the No. 22 team in NAIA Division I, defeated Mount Marty (S.D.), 80-69.



Siena Heights will be in action next on Jan. 4 when it hosts Northwestern Ohio for a 7:30 p.m. WHAC contest.