GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 14 Golden Eagles responded in a big way in their return to conference play, using balanced scoring to take down the Racers of Northwestern Ohio 74-70 on Wednesday evening. Cornerstone led by as many as 17 in the game, but UNOH was able to respond until Gabe Meriwether's career high 20 points shut the door to seal the victory. With the win, CU is now 9-4, 4-1 WHAC as they get set to conclude a four-game home stand vs. receiving votes UM-Dearborn on Saturday. Saturday's game will be the Golden Eagles Toys for Tots Ugly Christmas Sweater games where a multitude of Christmas activities will be available to fans throughout the day. 
 
What you need to know? 

• The Golden Eagles started the game off with a bang as Kyle Hayes threw down a dunk off an assist from Gabe Meriwether for the first bucket of the game. 
• Neither team could get up by more than four points as Gabe Meriwether scored a layup with 10:04 remaining that gave CU the 21-17 lead.
• Drew Knickerbocker later hit a fast break layup off an assist from Christian Rodriguez to give the Golden Eagles a six-point lead at 28-22 and force UNOH into their second TO of the half. 
• Gabe Meriwether hit a three with 3:04 to play to bring the lead to as high as 12 as Cornerstone held a 39-29 advantage at the half. 
• Both teams were hot from the three-point line in the first half as Cornerstone hit six and Northwestern Ohio hit five. 
• Gabe Meriwether continued his hot game, scoring five of the Golden Eagles first eight points in the second half to increase the lead to 47-33. 
• After UNOH cut it to as low back to 11, CU responded with a 6-0 run highlighted by a great pass from Brent Hibbitts to Cory Ainsworth for a layup. The Racers called timeout trailing 56-39 with 11:11 to play. 
• CU increased the lead to 17, but the Racers once again chipped away going on a 13-3 run to cut Cornerstone's lead to 63-56.
• UNOH called a timeout with 3:40 to play, trailing 66-58. 
• Turnovers hurt the Golden Eagles down the stretch, as UNOH cut it to as low as two on a Nathan Lessing free throw. 
• Gabe Meriwether took matters into his own hands in the final two minutes, hitting a pair of huge three's to seal the Golden Eagles 74-70 win over UNOH. 

 
 
Let's Get Social
 

?????? that pass! @BHibbitts32 - #TogetherweSOAR https://t.co/wTIdiahX7X

— Cornerstone Golden Eagles (@CUathletics) December 5, 2019

 
By the Numbers 

• Four Golden Eagles scored in double figures – Gabe Meriwether (season high 20), Kyle Hayes (15), Christian Rodriguez (11), and Cory Ainsworth (10). 
• Both teams shot the three well tonight as CU hit 11 behind Gabe Meriwether's 4-6 mark and UNOH hit eight. 
• Christian Rodriguez is 13 points away from becoming the 43^rdGolden Eagle in program history to 1,000 career points. 
• CU dominated the glass, outrebounding the Racers 47-32 on the game. 

 
 
What's Next? 
Cornerstone concludes a four-game home stand vs. receiving votes UM-Dearborn on Saturday at 3 p.m. Saturday's game will be our Ugly Christmas Sweater Toys for Tots game and we are asking fans to bring one unwrapped toy to donate as the price of admission for the event. 
 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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