McCullough’s career-high leads Aquinas past Canisius

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Robert McCullough scored a career-high 24 points to lead Aquinas past Canisius (VI), 70-58 in non-league action from the Wegman-Napier Center, Saturday afternoon.

The senior highlighted a pivotal fourth-quarter run when the Li’l Irish turned a single-digit lead into a double-digit advantage.

“He’s quiet tough,” said first-year Aquinas head coach Jeff LaFave. “He carries himself in a very quiet manner, but he’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached in 17 years.”

McCullough sparked a 13-2 run with a corner three, his second 3-pointer of the afternoon.

“My team was helping to get me the ball, setting me up for things,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “When they saw me open, they were getting me the ball and allowed me to have the game I had to today.”

McCullough converted one of two free throws before getting ahead of the defense for a layup. He drew contact on a wing drive for two more from the charity stripe.

In less than four minutes of game time, McCullough scored eight points. AQ had a 65-45 lead. He capped the run with an and-one in transition for the Li’l Irish’s largest lead of the day at 68-47.

“There were some matchups where I felt I could attack, like I had some mismatches that I could use to my advantage,” he said.

The win was the third straight for Aquinas which improved to 4-1 on the season.

Canisius came into the game having won both of its contests thus far this season including a 71-64 victory over perennial power Albany Academy.

The Crusaders looked the part in the early going with 6-foot-7 senior big man Declan Ryan scoring 14 of his 20 points in the first half. Lucas Ingrando and Luke Granto both connected from distance as well in the opening 16 minutes.

Twice, Canisius was able to catch the Li’l Irish denying on the wings for backdoor cuts leading to layups including a Connor Schuster feed to Granto along the left side for a 13-12 Canisius lead.

Canisius scored on each of its first three trips down the floor of the third quarter, but AQ forced five turnovers over the remaining six minutes of the stanza.

The Li’l Irish defense limited the Crusaders to one field goal over their first eight possessions of the fourth quarter. During that stretch, LaFave’s squad forced one turnover and six missed shots while not allowing an offensive rebound.

“We don’t let others dictate to us,” LaFave said of the defensive effort. “We do what we do. If we lose because of that, we lose it on our own sword. We think what we do is pretty good. We roll with that. If that doesn’t work, on to the next.”

Mason Blackwood scored 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter. The 6-foot-6 sophomore finished with nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks while committing just one turnover.

Mason Blackwood hits the jumper. Aquinas 50-38 with 2:41 to go in the third. pic.twitter.com/3H6nhrAEXF

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021

Jack Bleier and Will Scanlon connected on two 3-pointers apiece and both finished with nine points. Bleier’s triple at the halftime horn gave Aquinas a 35-26 lead heading into the locker room.

Jack Bleier beats the buzzer. HALFTIME: Aquinas 35 Canisius 26 pic.twitter.com/TkCCz5TA8q

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021

Scanlon handed out a team-high four assists.

Steal Will Scanlon to Jack Bleier corner 3. Aquinas 25-20 midway through the second. pic.twitter.com/D8ukpXI21G

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021

Myles Blackwood added six points. Mykel White had four, and Jordan Jordan scored two points.

McCullough went 8-of-16 from the floor including 2-of-4 from the behind the 3-point arc.

“I’m just really proud of how our guys fought and literally just grinded from opening to the very end. I’m super-proud of my guys right now.”

Shane Cercone scored 19 points for Canisius. Eddie Cosgrove had eight.

Aquinas travels to play at McQuaid on Monday. A 7 p.m. tip-off is scheduled.

“We’ve been battled-tested pretty early on this year,” LaFave said. “Every game we’re learning different lessons along the way. We want to get a little bit better each game. If we do that, I think come February we’re going to be in really good shape.”