GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – No. 2 Cornerstone trailed by one with just under two minutes to play but five straight points to finish the game lifted the Golden Eagles to a 74-70 win over Siena Heights in the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The victory lifts CU to 28-3 on the year as they will now host UM-Dearborn on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the semifinals. The other semifinal features Davenport hosting Aquinas College.
 
Game Flow
The early going was a defensive struggle that saw the visiting Saints hold a 9-8 edge just under eight minutes into the game. SHU then used a 6-4 spurt to take their largest lead of the game at 15-12 but the Golden Eagles' offense finally started to click as they went on a 10-0 run which included a Michael Bradshaw triple to give them their first lead since the early going. That seven-point lead was short-lived however as the Saints would cut the lead to 33-32 at the break.

The Saints refused to go quiet as they had the margin five (50-45) with 13:30 to play. CU responded with a 7-0 run to post their largest lead of the game of 12, which forced SHU to call a timeout. A Jake Brubaker steal and layup was sandwiched between a Kyle Steigenga and Sam Vander Sluis layup to put CU up 57-45. Siena Heights again battled back and scored 14 of the next 20 points to get within two at 61-59. Back and forth scoring would ensue over the next six minutes until SHU hit a deep three to give them a 70-69 lead with 1:50 remaining. Steigenga hit a pair of free-throws on the next CU possession which was followed by a defensive stop and greatly executed back door play to Cory Cox to widen the gap to three. After one more stop by the Golden Eagles, Sluis hit one of two free-throws to ice the win.
 
Say What?
"Siena Heights came ready to play and had us on our heels. This is tourney time and our guys need to be mentally tougher. We now host a UM-Dearborn team that is very solid" – Head Coach Kim Elders
 
By the Numbers
24 – Kyle Steigenga led all players with 24 points (10/13 from the FT line)
17/9/3/2 – Michael McLaughlin stuffed the stat sheet in points, rebounds, assists and steals
.333 – CU struggled from behind the arc – finishing just 5/15
17 – Siena Heights forced 17 turnovers for the Golden Eagles (one off their season high)
 
Up Next
Cornerstone will host UM-Dearborn (a 61-54 winner over UNOH) on Saturday in the WHAC Semifinals. Tip is set for 3 p.m. inside Mol Arena.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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