Top seeds Prevail in MBB Opening Round Action
(Tournament HQ) The opening round fo the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Men’s Basketball Tournament kicked off on Tuesday evening at host sties. #8 Aquinas used some late-game dramatics to earn a comeback win over #9 Cleary, while #7 UNOH earned a 12-point victory over UM-Dearborn in Lima. Aquinas will travel to Fort Wayne to take on top-seeded Indiana Tech on Thursday, while UNOH will stay in state, heading north to Sylvania to take on #2 Lourdes. Both games tipoff at 7 p.m.
#8 Aquinas def. #9 Cleary, 74-66Â
In a thrilling opening round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament, the Aquinas Saints clinched a come-from-behind victory over the Cleary Cougars with a final score of 74-66 on February 25, 2025.
The game kicked off with the Cougars taking an early lead, finishing the first half ahead at 44-38. Despite the challenging start, Aquinas made a significant comeback in the second half, largely due to standout performances from key players. Devon Boyd led the Saints with a game-high 23 points, including crucial free throws in the closing moments, complemented by a robust defense that stifled the Cougars’ advance.
Caden Pokorzynski also played a pivotal role for Aquinas, contributing 11 points and a commanding 13 rebounds, which proved critical in tilting the game balance in favor of the Saints. This collective effort was instrumental in overcoming the initial deficit and sealing the victory.
The Saints now set their sights on a formidable challenge against the top-seeded Indiana Tech in the next round, scheduled for February 27, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
#7 UNOH def. #10 UM-Dearborn, 86-74
In an exciting opening round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament, the Northwestern Ohio Racers, seeded #7, secured a commanding 86-74 victory over the #10 seed UM-Dearborn Wolverines on February 25, 2025. The game took place at the home court of the Racers, where they flipped a delicate halftime deficit of one point into a 12-point triumph by the final buzzer.
Despite trailing 37-36 at halftime, the Racers rallied in the second half. Key performances came from Caleb Chapman and Alex Benson, each contributing 14 points. Adding depth to the scoring, both Zachary Cody and Thomas Dillard IV chipped in with 12 points apiece, making significant impacts that helped extend their team’s lead during the crucial periods of the game. The collective effort saw UNOH bolster their defense and consistently outscore the Wolverines, thwarting any attempts by Michigan-Dearborn to close the scoring gap.
This victory translates into a next-round clash for the Racers against the formidable #2 seed Lourdes University, scheduled for February 27, 2025, in Sylvania, Ohio. The Racers will be looking to build on their current momentum as they face a higher-seeded opponent in what promises to be a challenging match-up.