By Evan Doan, Sports Editor
Lamont Green-Tobert dunking – photo by Aquinas Athletics
The men’s basketball team started their 2026-27 season on Friday Oct 30 when they faced off against St Xavier (IL) and Saturday Oct 31 against Indiana University South Bend. The Saints would win both games in close fashion to start the year 2-0.
Sophomore Jordan Bledsoe would strike first for the Saints, scoring on their first possession. Aquinas and St. Xavier would trade early blows until a Fighting Saints three gave St. Xavier a 9-8 lead with 15 minutes to play in the first half. However this would be their only lead of the night.
Junior Xavier Zubric took the lead back for Aquinas on the following possession. Jordan McCoy came up with a steal on the defensive end and Jack Futa three pushed the Saints back out front. The Saints built a ten point lead in the half, but St. Xavier battled back, cutting into the Saint lead. The Saints entered half time with a 34-30 lead.
Mershon Dickerson got the Saints started again with an early three, a part of his team high 17, to start the second half. St. Xavier scored the next seven points to tie the game 37-37 before the Saints were able to build a lead. Dickerson, David Day, Bledsoe and McCoy responded for the Saints making it 50-41 with 11:48 to play.
A Caden Pokorzynski dunk gave Aquinas its largest lead of the night, 13, with 2:23 to play. That lead proved too hard to overcome as the Saints cruises to a 77-69 season opening win.
“Different guys stepped up at different times, and that’s something we’re going to need from this group,” head coach Ryan Bertoia said.
The Saints returned the following day for their second game of the season against IU South Bend. Despite scoring first again the Saints found themselves trailing 12-6 at the 15 minute mark. A Bledsoe three, Zubric dunk and Futa three made it 14-12 Saints.
Minutes later the Saints went on a 17-4 run to push the score to make it 34-20 Aquinas with seven minutes remaining in the half. The Titans chipped away at the Saint lead for the rest of the half and Aquinas entered half with a 53-50 lead.
Caden Pokorzynski plays defense – photo by Aquinas Athletics
A pair of Titan baskets gave them the lead early in the second half. The Saints trailed the Titans for over ten minutes of game time until a McCoy three broke the Titan lead making it 73-72 Aquinas with seven minutes to play. Zubric and Pokorzynski responded to Titan baskets as the teams battled down the stretch.
Pokorzynski, Zubrich and Dickerson scored three straight Saints baskets to ice it for the Saints. David Day hit two free throws to finish the scoring at 91-87 for the Saints. Futa and Lamont Green-Torbert played big minutes off the bench providing the Saints with 10 and 12 points respectively.
“Our guys stayed composed, trusted each other, and made some big plays when it mattered most,” Bertoia said.
The Saints return to action Tuesday Nov 3 at home against Bethel. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm.
