No. 6 MBB claims regular season WHAC title

Box Score

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The No. 6 ranked Cornerstone men's basketball team has claimed its second straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season championship as they picked up a 76-67 win over Lawrence Tech on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Eagles improve to 25-5 on the year and 19-3 in league play and will find out their WHAC Tournament first round opponent from the conference office on Sunday. CU will host a first round game on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Game Flow
Cornerstone jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead on buckets from Ben Lanning (JR/Grandville, Mich.) and Cory Cox (SO/Flushing, Mich.) but the host Blue Devils roared back to take a 10-8 lead. Then the No. 6 ranked Golden Eagles flexed their muscles and used a 12-2 run to up the lead to 20-12. LTU slowly chipped away at the lead and how it down to just one (42-41) at the break.

After battling foul trouble throughout the first half, both Ben Lanning and Kyle Steigenga (FR/Holland, Mich.) picked up their third fouls early in the second and CU was forced to use most of its bench and the reserves came through to help the Golden Eagles increase their lead. LTU had the lead down to just five though on a couple of occasions late but a clutch shot from Cory Cox and some free-throws from Travis Wells (JR/Eaton Rapids, Mich.) and Michael McLaughlin helped CU hold off the charge to post the 76-67 win.

Say What?
"This season has been such a great ride and one we hope to make last even longer. I am very proud of the team and the assistant coaches for being able to claim a conference championship" – Head coach Kim Elders

By the Numbers
8 – Cornerstone claimed its eighth regular season title in the last 20 seasons…their first was 1995-96

.558 – The Golden Eagles were sizzling from the field – making 24-43 shots

11 – A total of just 11 turnovers between the two teams (6 for CU and 5 for LTU)

25/12 – Ben Lanning posted a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds

18/19 – Kyle Steigenga finished with 18 points and Cory Cox 19

Up Next
Cornerstone will host the first round of the WHAC Tournament on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30. The opponent and complete bracket will be released on Sunday afternoon after completion of all games.

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