GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Cornerstone opened up their home schedule on Thursday night and thanks to a 21-0 second-half run, the No. 1 ranked Golden Eagles took down visiting Alma College 73-59. The run gave CU a 23-point lead that was trimmed to 14 at the end as CU improves to 3-2 on the season. Cornerstone will host Goshen on Saturday at 3 p.m. as the two teams will celebrate Veteran's Day with Military Appreciation Night.
 
Game Flow
The big men for Cornerstone and the backcourt for Alma were the story in the opening 20 minutes of play as the Golden Eagles built a 36-33 lead at the break. CU got 20 of the 36 points from Kyle Steigenga and Sam Vander Sluis while Christian Rodriguez chipped in with nine as CU trailed only once at 3-2 on the second posession of the game. They pushed their lead up to as many as 11 after a pair of free-throws by Steigenga but the Scots hung around thanks to 10 points from Preston Laketa and four made triples.

Alma continued to keep the score close over the first seven minutes of the second half as they trailed by just two (48-46) with 12:38 to play. CU then erupted for a 21-0 run as Steigenga had nine of the points and Rodriguez converted a 4-point play to put the game out of reach. The run put the Golden Eagles up 69-46 with just under five minutes to play and they cruised to the 14-point win.
 
Say What?
"Defensively we really focused on their shooters and tried to make things difficult. That is a really good offensive team and to hold them to only 59 points is a credit to our guys. We also are starting to figure things out on offense which is leading to better looks" – Head Coach Kim Elders
 
By the Numbers
20/10 – Sam Vander Sluis posted his fourth double-double in the seasons' first five games
24/8 – Kyle Steigenga led the team and game in scoring
16 – Points for freshman Christian Rodriguez on 6/9 shooting (3/6 from behind the arc)
16 – Offensive rebounds for CU including four from Lance Martin and Steigenga
6 – Cornerstone had just six turnovers in the game

Up Next
Cornerstone stays at home for their next game which is Saturday at 3 p.m. vs. Goshen College. The teams will honor active military and veterans and they are asking for your donations of socks, hats and gloves to be given to the GR Home for Veterans.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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