Women's Basketball | 1/2/2018 11:28:00 AM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles are set to begin the 2018 portion of the season resuming WHAC play with home games vs. UM-Dearborn and Rochester. Cornerstone will play host to the Wolverines on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and then Rochester on Saturday at 1 p.m. Live video, audio, and stats are available for both games at cugoldeneagles.com/watch.

Opponent: UM-Dearborn
Date: Wednesday, January 3
Time: 5:30 p.m. EST
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Mol Arena)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Audio/Stats
 
Opponent: Rochester
Date: Saturday, January 6
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Mol Arena)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Audio/Stats
 
Scouting the Wolverines
A veteran UM-Dearborn lineup has yet to find their stride under second year head coach Jordan Sweeney, going 5-12, 0-8 WHAC on the year. The Wolverines got off to a good start in 2017-18 going 4-3, but they have lost nine of their last 10. Senior Meredith Williams is the energizer for UM-Dearborn, as she ranks fifth in the NAIA in total steals with 50 and eighth in total assists with 82. Offensively, the young sophomore guard Sade Lemons leads the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game. Lemons also leads the team with 5.5 rebounds per game.
 
Scouting the Warriors
The Golden Eagles and Warriors are set to meet for the first time as conference opponents this Saturday. Rochester has been a pesky opponent for WHAC opponents to face, as they already have wins over two receiving votes opponents and No. 24 Lawrence Tech. Fifth year head coach Brent Wichtner has lead Rochester to a 9-6, 4-3 WHAC record, putting them tied for fourth place in league play with Cornerstone. Rochester has been a threat all season from the three point line, shooting 37.9% on the year to rank sixth in the NAIA. Maddy Valko, Rio Dudgeon, and Devan Valko all average 12+ points per game.
 
History vs. UM-Dearborn
Cornerstone lost to the Wolverines for just the second time under head coach Katie Mattera last season, splitting the season series. Overall the Golden Eagles have been dominant against UM-Dearborn though going 8-2 since head coach Katie Mattera started in 2012-2013.
 
History vs. Rochester
CU will be taking on RC for the first time as a conference opponent. Cornerstone has took on Rochester six times since the Warriors started their program and won all six games, by an average of 12.5 points per game.
 
Entering 2018 Strong
Cornerstone has now pushed their season best winning streak to four games, giving them a 5-2 record in the month of December. CU struggled in the first two months of the season going 4-6, but they look to continue their strong run to end 2017, as they are set to get back to conference action for the final 13 games of the season.
 
Vredevoogd Remains 12 Away
Senior Cass Vredevoogd did not play in the lone countable game this past week at Indiana-Northwest due to illness, which leaves her still 12 points away from 1,000 career points. Vredevoogd is looking to become just the 25th Golden Eagle player to hit 1,000 career points. Vredevoogd scored 503 points in her first two seasons at Dordt College in Iowa, and has now scored 485 at Cornerstone.
 
Favorable Schedule Ahead
The regular season is quickly winding down for the Golden Eagles with just 13 games remaining. CU has a favorable schedule ahead as they will play eight of their final 13 games at home, including a pair of three game homestands in January. Cornerstone has endured a very difficult first half of the schedule, playing just five of their first 17 games at home, along with taking on six NAIA Top 25/RV opponents.
 
Non-Conference Recap
The Golden Eagles enter 2018 with a full load of WHAC games ahead. CU closed out a very difficult non-conference season with a 5-5 record. Cornerstone started the non-conference schedule 0-4, but concluded it with a 4-1 record.
 
Defensive Numbers
Cornerstone continues to be dominant on the defensive end, holding their opponent to under 40% in each of the last four games. On the season, the Golden Eagles are 8-1 when they hold their opponents to fewer than 40% shooting. Last time out, CU allowed IU-Northwest to shoot 48% in the first half but held them to just 25% shooting in the second half.