GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After hitting a mid game slump in the second and third quarter, the Golden Eagles mounted an impressive comeback to beat Rochester College 63-56. A jumper by Lizzy Otten with just over a minute to go gave CU their first lead since the second quarter and ultimately led to the season opening victory. Cornerstone will hit the road for the first time this year, as they travel to Hammond, Indiana for the Tip Off Classic where they will take on Purdue-Northwest and Robert Morris on Friday and Saturday. 

Game Flow
Cornerstone got off to a fast start, scoring the first eight points in the season opener. By the end of the first quarter, CU had doubled up the Rochester score leading 18-9 due to the inside game of Ellery Mast who scored six in the opening period. The second quarter is where the slump began for CU, as the Warriors went on an 11-4 run led by forward Maddy Valko to take a 32-25 lead into the break.

Rochester did not let up in the third quarter opening up their lead to a game high 11 points before CU stepped it up defensively that resulted in easy opportunities on the offensive end. Jesse Sheridan recorded a team high three steals that helped the Golden Eagles find some fast break opportunities down the stretch, as CU scored the final seven points to win 63-56.

Say What?
"We had a lot of jitters and mistakes in the first half, and we got down on ourselves letting them control how we play. In the second half it was our goal to set the pace and play our style of game. We focused possession by possession and fought back as a team for the win. It feels incredible to win our first game and I look forward to the rest of the season." – junior guard, Lizzy Otten
 
By the Numbers
21-7 – The Golden Eagles outscored Rochester 21 to seven in the fourth quarter.
13-12-12-12 – Ellery Mast scored a team high thirteen points followed by 12 points from Jesse Sheridan, Lizzy Otten, and Cass Vredevoogd.
27 – CU took 27 free throws in tonight's game hitting 18 of them for a 66.7 percentage.
10-6 – The Golden Eagles recorded 10 steals to the Warriors six.
3-23 – The game consisted of just three made three point attempts as Rochester went 2-13 and CU went 1-10.

Up Next
Cornerstone will travel to Hammond, Indiana for the Tip Off Classic hosted by Purdue-Northwest. CU will take on the host Purdue-Northwest on Friday at 5:00 p.m.

Women's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell | Nathan-jesse.campbell@cornerstone.edu
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