GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Head coach Kim Elders guided the No. 2 ranked Golden Eagles to a 77-69 win over Madonna on Saturday which gives the 24-year veteran 600 victories for his career. Elders, who is now 600-225 since coming to Cornerstone in 1993-94, has helped CU to a 12-1 overall mark this season as they will resume action in one week when they host Lawrence Tech at 3 p.m.
 
Game Flow
In a game that was much closer than it felt, the visiting Crusaders refused to give in to the highly ranked Golden Eagles. CU got out to a 17-8 lead after a Sam Vander Sluis put-back with 11:06 to play in the first but Madonna chipped away and stayed within six for most the half. CU led 35-29 at the break after a late triple by Cory Cox and pair of free throws from Kyle Steigenga.

Steigenga then got hot to start the second as the junior scored 13 straight and 15 of 17 for the Golden Eagles as they built their largest lead of the game at 54-39. The Crusaders again refused to go down quietly as they took their turn in getting hot and it was from behind the arc as they used 10 triples in the game to stay close and had the lead down to just five (66-61) with just under three minutes to play. Riley Costen stepped up and connected on two big 3-pointers down the stretch to ice the win for CU.
 
Say What?
"600 wins is credit to the players and staff that have been here. I've been blessed beyond what I can imagine and it was great to get one more today." Head Coach Kim Elders
 
By the Numbers
34/13 – Kyle Steigenga posted his third straight double-double with a game-high 34 points and 13 rebounds
14/13 – Sam Vander Sluis matched Kyle's rebounds and finished with 14 points for his second straight double-double
5/26 – CU was cold from behind the arc – with Cory Cox making three of them and Costen the other two
6 – CU continued to protect the rim, finishing with six blocks
 
 
Up Next
Cornerstone will be off for one week and they will return to action next Saturday when they play host to Lawrence Tech at 3 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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