POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The No. 2 ranked Golden Eagles enter their seventh ever trip to the NAIA Semifinals on Monday where they will take on No. 22 Bellevue University (Neb.) at 9 p.m. EST. The Golden Eagles reached the Fab Four thanks to a 97-87 win over IU-East while the Bruins are there thanks to a 77-75 overtime win over Bethel College (Ind.).

Opponent: Bellevue (Neb.)
Date: Monday, March 13, 2017
Time: 9 p.m. EST
Location: Point Lookout, Mo.
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Audio/Stats (CSPN)
 
Scouting Bellevue – Head coach Shane Paben (8th Season)
8th year head coach Shane Paben has the Bruins in their first semifinal appearance since 2010 and fourth in school history. Bellevue, the 6th seed in their bracket of eight has posted two "upsets" to get to the semifinal round but none bigger than the 77-75 overtime win over No. 3 ranked Bethel on Saturday night. Bellevue, who plays in the North Star Athletic Conference, has a 25-10 overall record while they finished 11-5 in league action. The Bruins are led on offense by a balanced attack that features four different players averaging double-figures. BJ Shelton (14.0), Nick Hilton (12.1), Mike Cardenas (10.8) and Jalen Hall (10.3) help BU put up 79.2 points per night.
 
How They Got Here
Cornerstone advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to an 89-83 win over Pacific Union in the first round, a 66-58 win over St. Francis in the second round and a 97-87 win over IU-East in the quarterfinals. Bellevue, the sixth seed in their bracket, has posted wins over Briar Cliff (80-75), York (78-76) and Bethel (77-75 OT).
 
NAIA Tournament History
Cornerstone is making their 15th appearance at the NAIA National Tournament and 14th since it was moved to Point Lookout, Mo. CU has an overall record of 36-11 in the tourney and boasts a trio of championships in 1999, 2011 and 2015.
 
7th Trip to the Fab Four
The win on Saturday over IU-East lifted Cornerstone into their 7th ever National Semifinal appearance as they have also reached this far in the tourney in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2011 and 2015.
           
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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