GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After two weeks off, the Golden Eagles look to bounce back with a non-conference game at NCCAA opponent Grace Christian University on Saturday, December 28. Action will begin at 1 p.m. in the Aldrich Athletic Center as CU travels to Grace for the first time since 2014. This will be the team's second meeting of the season however, as the two teams played as part of the Cornerstone Classic in Mol Arena in early November and CU got the win 91-67. Live video will be produced by Grace Christian for the event with links at cugoldeneagles.com. There will be no live audio for the game. 
 
Opponent: Grace Christian   
Date: Saturday, December 28
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Location: Wyoming, Mich. (Aldrich Athletic Center)
Coverage: Live Video
 
Last Time Out
The Golden Eagles lost back-to-back games for the first time since October of 2017 with a 72-59 loss at receiving votes Madonna on Saturday, December 14. After two weeks off, CU looks to regroup at Grace Christian for a non-conference contest against the Tigers. CU and GCU met earlier in the season inside Mol Arena, and the Golden Eagles had possibly their best game of the year, scoring a season high 91 points in a 91-67 win to open the Cornerstone Classic. On the year, Cornerstone is 9-6, 4-3 WHAC and currently ranks 24th in the latest NAIA DII Poll. 
 
Shooting Struggles 
Cornerstone has been struggling to shoot the ball of late, ranking dead last in the WHAC with a 42.4% field goal percentage through the first 15 games. Last time out, CU shot a season low 29.3% at Madonna. Cornerstone looks to get out of the shooting slump at Grace Christian where they shot 44.0% from the field last time they played. The Golden Eagles have shot above 50% twice this season, at Saint Xavier and vs. Spring Arbor. 
 
National Statistics
Cornerstone ranks third in NAIA DII in total blocks with 78 so far this season. CU is fourth in blocks per game, averaging 5.2 per game. The Golden Eagle defense has been dominant in the early season as well, ranking 14th in NAIA DII, holding opponents to 40.7% from the field. CU is 19th in the nation in total rebounds with 603 as well. 
 
WHAC Outlook Heading into 2020
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has proven to be one of the most balanced conferences in NAIA DII heading into 2020 with three teams ranked in the top 25 and one receiving votes team. No. 14 Lourdes has played at a program best pace as they lead the conference with a 7-1 record. No. 21 UM-Dearborn is second in the WHAC with a 5-1 record. Indiana Tech after a slow start has gotten back on track, winning five in a row to sit at third in WHAC play. Cornerstone, Madonna, and Rochester are all in the middle of the pack with three conference losses. Only one team has yet to get a conference win in Northwestern Ohio sitting at 2-12, 0-6 WHAC.
 
Scouting GCU
The defending NCCAA DII National Champions have started the year 7-8 playing one of the toughest schedules in all of small college basketball. The Tigers have already played five WHAC opponents this season and gone 2-3 in those games with wins over Indiana Tech and Siena Heights. Senior forward Austin Jackson leads the team with 16.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG so far this season. Brandon Winchester-Jones (14.7) and Adam Kregel (11.5) also have double-digit scoring numbers through the first 15 games of the year.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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