NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Game Most Outstanding Player Jason Hawkes scored 12 of his 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Aquinas Li’l Irish sprinted to a double-digit halftime lead and held on to defeat St. Paul’s (Ontario), 44-35 in the Can-Am Showcase at Niagara Falls High School, Saturday.
Hawkes connected on six of nine shots from the floor and converted both of his free throws for the game. The senior forward hauled in a game-high 18 rebounds – part of an overall effort which saw the Li’l Irish take a 36-31 advantage on the boards.
Hawkes hit the game-winning three-pointer on Thursday when Aquinas scored the final seven points of the contest in a 54-51 victory over Williamsville-South (VI).
Classmate Jalen Pickett finished with a game-high 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting including two of six behind the arc.
Hawkes and Pickett handed out three assists apiece.
Danny Speed scored four, and Ruben Torres added five as the AQ bench outscored its counterparts, 14-0.
Aquinas led 31-13 at half.
The Li’l Irish outscored St. Paul in the paint (20-12) and on second-chance points (11-6).
Kennedy Tallarico scored 14 for St. Paul’s. Victor Kariuki added 12 to go with 12 rebounds.
Aquinas hosts Bishop Ludden on Monday.
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