Women's Basketball | 1/18/2018 12:04:00 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles are set for a big road test against WHAC front runner No. 9 Indiana Tech this Saturday in their lone game of the week. Cornerstone had a bye this past Wednesday due to Marygrove no longer being in the conference, giving them all week to prepare for the 20-2 Warriors. The game will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 20. Live video and stats will be available and links can be found at cugoldeneagles.com.

Opponent: (9) Indiana Tech
Date: Saturday, January 20
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (Schaefer Center)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Stats
 
History vs. the Warriors
The Golden Eagles have struggled against the Warriors and their recent success in the conference losing four of the last five matchups. CU is 1-0 against IIT this season though, as they handed the No. 9 Warriors their first and only conference loss in Mol Arena on December 2. The last time Cornerstone earned a season sweep of Indiana Tech came in the 2012-13. Cornerstone will also be seeking their first win against an NAIA Top 10 team since November 20, 2013 when CU defeated No. 2 Davenport inside Mol Arena. 
 
Scouting Indiana Tech
A veteran Indiana Tech roster has posted a near perfect season under sixth year head coach Jessie Biggs going 20-2, 11-1 WHAC to rank No. 9 in NAIA Division II. The Warriors are the only team in the WHAC with a longer winning streak then the Golden Eagles, winning 11 in a row with their last loss coming at Cornerstone. IIT is led by the senior duo of Haley Cook and Keanna Gary who each average 17+ points per game. Cook and Gary have been stars ever since they transferred to Indiana Tech combining for four WHAC Player of the Week awards, and three All-WHAC First Team selections. As a team, the size of the Warriors proves costly for opponents as they rank first in the NAIA in total offensive rebounds (932) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (29.9). Indiana Tech also moves the ball very well, as they have totaled an NAIA third best 404 total assists this season. 
 
Sheridan Moves into Ninth
Junior Jesse Sheridan scored her 1,331-career point last Wednesday vs. UNOH to put her in ninth all-time in scoring in Golden Eagle program history. Sheridan surpassed Amy Kraft who played from 1985-1990 and tallied 1,330 career points. With nine regular season games remaining, Sheridan has totaled 1,354 career points putting her 138 points away from Jandi Hillaker (1991-1995) who sits in eighth place in program history. 
 
Home/Away Splits
The Golden Eagles have posted a 7-1 home record this season compared to a 6-7 road record. At home Cornerstone has averaged 73.5 points per game, while the defense has been spectacular holding opponents to just 63.0 points per game. On the road CU averages 71.7 points per game while opponents score 68.8 points per game. Cornerstone has won each of their last four games on the road this season. 
 
Career First for Richards
Junior Taylor Richards has stepped up big in the last few games and it showed as she recorded her first career double-double at Concordia. Richards tallied 12 points and a career best 11 rebounds in a huge road win that gave the Golden Eagles a season sweep of the Cardinals. On the year, Richards has started 18 of the Golden Eagles 21 games and averages 5.5 PPG and 4.2 RPG. 
 
Sheridan's Free Throw Shooting Streak
Junior Jesse Sheridan achieved a remarkable streak from the free throw line, hitting a career best 32 consecutive free throws over the span of five games. Sheridan finally became human again, going 4-6 from the line in the win vs. Northwestern Ohio to end the 32-consecutive made free throw streak. On the season, Sheridan is shooting 89.3% from the line to rank fourth in NAIA Division II. For her career, Sheridan is a 85.5% free throw shooter making 260 of 304 attempts. 
 
Statistically Speaking
The Golden Eagles have been one of the best in the nation in shooting percentage this season, as they rank ninth in NAIA Division II at 45.8% from the field and 10th in three-point percentage at 37.0%. Cornerstone has not had a team field goal percentage as high as 45% since the 2006-07 season when they shot 45.4% from the field and 34.4% from behind the arc.