GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The Golden Eagles dug a bit of a hole early but continually chipped away against the #22 ranked Siena Heights lead and finished down just 4 points (31-27) at the break.  Cornerstone claimed their first and only lead just a minute into the second half but the Saints made a quick run to regain the lead and then they began to extend the lead throughout the second half as they went on to defeat Cornerstone 64-52

Game Flow

The visiting Saints jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead and it all came on the back of All-American Serria Calhoun. The lead grew to as many as 14 in the opening half as CU struggled from the field but a late run kept the home team within striking distance. CU scored 13 of the final 16 points to cut the margin down to just four 4 (31-27) at the break.

That run continued into the second half as the Golden Eagles scored the first five points including a triple from Jill Steenwyk (JR/Sparta, Mich.) to give the home team their first lead at 32-31.

The Golden Eagles claimed their first lead of the game (32-31) when Jill Steenwyk drained a 3-pointer with 18:44 left in the second half but the lead would be short lived.  The Saints made a 15-6 run over the next eight minutes to take a 47-37 lead with 10:11 on the clock.  The Saints extended the lead to as much as 16 on a couple of occasions.  They held a 58-42 advantage with 3:58 remaining but the Golden Eagles didn't give up and off six straight point to draw to within 10 points at the 2:45 mark.  Cornerstone had to resort to fouling and Siena Heights made six straight foul shots to finish the game with a 64-42 win. 

Say What?

"We made some nice defensive stops but we didn't execute very well on offense and you have to do both when you play a team like Siena Heights" said Coach Mattera.

By the Numbers

33/23 – The percentage of shots CU made from the floor in the 1^st and 2^nd halves.

17/16 – Ashley Niedermayer (SR/Lincolnshire, Ill) grabbed 17 boards and scored 16 points for the Golden Eagles. 

30/12 -  Siena Heights outscored Cornerstone 30-12 in the paint.

Up Next

Cornerstone will hit the road on Saturday for the east side of the state when they play at Marygrove. Tip against the Mustangs is set for 1 p.m.

Women's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-334-3831 | aaron.sagraves@cornerstone.edu

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