(Tournament HQ) The quarterfinal round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Men’s Basketball Tournament saw a pair of higher seeds advance and a pair of upsets. #1 Indian Tech punched its ticket to the semifinals with an impressive win over Aquinas while Cornerstone took care of business against Rochester Christian. Madonna and Rochester lived up to the hype in a thrilling rematch from last weekend’s regular season finale, this time with the Crusaders pulling ahead and punching its ticket to the next round. The thriller of the evening took place in Sylvania, Ohio with #7 UNOH knocking off the #2 Lourdes Gray Wolves in an overtime classic. High seeds will once again host the next round.

#1 Indiana Tech def. #8 Aquinas, 96-68 | Box Score

In a decisive victory, the Indiana Tech Warriors showcased their dominance by defeating the Aquinas Saints with a final score of 96-68 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament Quarterfinals on February 27, 2025. With this win, the #1 seed Warriors extend their impressive season record to 23-6.

From the start, Indiana Tech took control of the court, leading 49-30 at halftime, a gap the Saints were unable to close in the second half. The Warriors’ strong offensive strategy was evident as they maintained their lead, finishing the game with a 28-point margin.

Highlight performers for the Warriors included Jaxson Fugate, who led the scoring with 15 points. Crew Gibson also made significant contributions with 14 points, alongside Brady Titus who added 11 points to the team’s total. The collective team effort proved too much for the Saints, despite noteworthy performances from Jacob Howard, who scored 14 points, including four three-pointers, and Devon Boyd with 12 points.

Looking ahead, Indiana Tech is set to appear in the next round of the WHAC Tournament on March 1, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With momentum on their side, the Warriors are poised for another strong performance as they continue their pursuit of the championship.

#7 UNOH def. #2 Lourdes, 96-94 OT | Box Score

In a riveting WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals showdown, the University of Northwestern Ohio Racers, led by stellar performances from Alex Benson and Caleb Chapman, managed a narrow victory over the Lourdes Gray Wolves with a final score of 96-94 on February 27, 2025.

The game, marked by intense competition and high stakes, showcased the talent of both teams. The Racers, entering as the #7 seed against the #2 seed Lourdes Gray Wolves, pulled off an impressive upset. Alex Benson scored 23 points complemented by Caleb Chapman’s 18 points and 9 rebounds, sealing the win for Northwestern Ohio. Additional key players like Ryan Archey, with 21 points and 8 rebounds, and Marquis Freeman, with pivotal plays in the closing moments, were instrumental in the Racers’ victory.

Despite strong efforts from Lourdes’ Shaunn Monroe, who led all scorers with 30 points, and Kendall Perkins, who added 16 points, the Gray Wolves fell just short in this fiercely contested battle. The Racers’ strategic plays and solid defense in critical moments led them to the final buzzer ahead of the scoreline.

The Racers now look forward to continuing their journey in the tournament, facing their next challenge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on March 1, 2025.

#5 Madonna def. #4 Lawrence Tech, 90-82 | Box Score

In a closely contested WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals matchup, the Madonna Crusaders triumphed over the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils with a final score of 90-82 on February 27, 2025. The Crusaders, seeded #5, managed to outperform the #4 seed Blue Devils at their home court, demonstrating a resilient and coordinated team effort.

The game saw outstanding performances from Madonna’s Isaac Anderson and Ahmoni Weston, each bagging 25 points. Anderson’s contributions were multifaceted, adding 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, making significant impacts both offensively and defensively. Weston matched the intensity with his 25 points, complemented by 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Brendan Young also stood out with a double-double, scoring 11 points and securing 15 rebounds along with 3 assists.

Despite impressive individual performances from Lawrence Tech’s Cameron McEvans and Blake Lund, each scoring 22 points and hitting crucial three-pointers, it was Madonna’s consistent team play and strategic execution that sealed the victory. The Crusaders now pivot their focus toward the next challenging encounter against the top-seeded Indiana Tech on March 1, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

#3 Cornerstone def. #6 Rochester Christian, 95-82 | Box Score 

In a decisive victory during the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals on February 27, 2025, the Cornerstone Golden Eagles outperformed the Rochester Christian Warriors, finishing with a notable score of 95-82. The Cornerstone team, seeded #3 and holding a season record of 20-9, capitalized on their home court advantage at Grand Rapids, Mich., overpowering the #6 seed Rochester, which came into the game with a 19-10 record.

The game kicked off with Cornerstone establishing a dominant performance by halftime, leading 57-33. Key players Connor Dykema and Blake Stewart tremendously propelled their team’s success; Dykema scored 18 points alongside 14 rebounds, while Stewart added 19 points and secured 3 steals. Their combined efforts maintained Cornerstone’s commanding lead through the latter half of the contest, despite Rochester’s best attempts for a comeback.

Rochester Christian, though lagging, saw formidable performances from Brody Parker and Brett White, scoring 23 and 20 points respectively. Moreover, Brett White contributed 9 rebounds, demonstrating a vigilant effort in both offensive and defensive plays. Additional support came from Gunner Walters and James Fisher, underscoring Rochester’s attempt to bridge the point gap.

Despite this push, Rochester struggled with the tempo set by Cornerstone throughout the game. The Golden Eagles utilized their strong start and sustained momentum to close the game with a significant lead, ensuring their progression to face #7 UNOH on March 1, 2025, in a follow-up match at Grand Rapids.