GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The Golden Eagles powered their way past Grace Christian in the home opener and first day of the Cornerstone Classic, winning 91-67 behind 17 made three's in the game. CU put up an even 50 in the first half to go along with a 51.4% field goal percentage to earn their second win of the year. The team will be back in action for their third game vs. an NAIA Top 5 opponent this season as they will host (4) Morningside to conclude the Cornerstone Classic. Action will begin at 3 p.m. or the conclusion of the Indiana Tech vs. Grace Christian game. 
 
What you need to know? 

• After both teams traded buckets in the first five minutes to make it 9-8, Cornerstone saw back-to-back threes from Christian Rodriguez and Brent Hibbitts to take a 14-9 lead and force Grace into a timeout. 
• Grace cut the deficit back to one at 16-15. 
• After Grace cut the deficit, CU went on a 15-0 run all with the three ball, as Jonny Strube, Carter Nyp, Tyler Baker, Christian Rodriguez, and Kyle Hayes all hit one. 
• GCU was unable to recover after that, as an and-one by Kyle Hayes brought the lead to a game high 22 points at 50-28 at the half. 
• CU came out just as strong to start the second half, as Carter Nyp hit two more threes to make it a 26-point game. 
• After Grace cut it back down to 20, Nyp hit his third three of the half to help CU get it back to 26 points with 15:57 remaining.
• Despite the slower shooting performance in the second half, CU was able to maintain a 20+ point lead until eight minutes remained in the game. 
• Grace cut it to 17 multiple times, but an 11-2 run to end the game helped Cornerstone earn a 91-67 victory and move to 2-1 on the year. 

 
 
Let's Get Social
 

. @tylerbaker7 for threeeeee ???????????? #togetherwesoar pic.twitter.com/3bwzErE552

— Cornerstone Basketball (@CornerstoneMBB) November 2, 2019

 
By the Numbers 

• Kyle Hayes did it all tonight with 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. 
• Five Golden Eagles recorded double-figures, while 11 different CU players scored a bucket. 
• Cornerstone hit a season high 17 threes and took a season high 45 attempts. 
• Cornerstone's bench outscored the Grace Christian bench 31-9. 

 
 
What's Next? 
Cornerstone closes out the Cornerstone Classic with a game vs. (4) Morningside tomorrow at 3 p.m. (23) Indiana Tech will play Grace Christian prior to CU's game at 1 p.m.   
 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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