#RV SHU Women's Hoops' Rally Falls Short at Aquinas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Siena Heights women's basketball team nearly overcame a 17-point deficit, but ended up dropping a 76-69 decision at Aquinas on Wednesday.

Nikki Hughes (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) finished with 17 points, nearly willing SHU past Aquinas.

Raina Chambers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) added 15 points, Samantha Wolford (Washington, Mich./Romeo) put in 14 points and Amanda Duke (Flat Rock, Mich./Gabriel Richard) contributed 12.

Siena Heights' leading rebounders were Grace Howrigon (Plainwell, Mich./Plainwell), Wolford and Duke with nine, eight and seven, respectively.

SHU trailed 58-41 before storming back on a 24-9 run. Hughes led the charge with 10 points while Wolford had five, including a three-point play to close Siena Heights' deficit to 67-65 with 1:40 left.

Sixteen seconds later, Hughes fouled out and SHU lost its momentum. From there, Aquinas used a 9-of-12 performance from the free-throw line to built its lead and hold off the visitors.

SHU (16-11, 8-7) held two short leads during the first half, going up 4-0 to start the game and then using a five-point run to snag a 17-16 advantage.

Aquinas then responded with 14 straight points to take a 30-17 lead.

In the second half, Siena Heights trimmed its deficit to 46-41 before the hosts ran of another run -- this time, 12 points -- to go up 58-41 and set the stage for the visitors' late rally.

Marisa Marx led Aquinas with 16 points while Jenna Brower contributed 14 -- all of which came in the first half. Shelby Carter added 12 points and Taelor Sanders finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Chelsea Matley was the leading rebounder with nine.

SHU will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Cornerstone for a 3 p.m. matchup. Siena Heights will also celebrate "Senior Day" and play its annual PinkZone game.