GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a game the Golden Eagles never trailed in, they were able to hold off a late rally from rival Aquinas to win 76-73 at home as they conclude the first half of WHAC play.
Drew Knickerbocker recorded a career high 15 points off the bench, while
Christian Rodriguez led the team with 19 as CU improves to 12-7, 6-4 WHAC on the year. Cornerstone will be off until Saturday when they host Lawrence Tech for the Tolsma Tough game in honor of Head Coach
Kim Elders niece Alexa Tolsma who is battling cancer.
What you need to know?
- Cornerstone scored six points in the first three minutes of the game, highlighted by four from Cory Ainsworth to force AQ into an early timeout leading 6-2.
- Drew Knickerbocker hit a three after the timeout to get the lead out to 9-2.
- After Aquinas came back to cut it to just two, Cornerstone went on an 11-3 run highlighted by a Trent Summerfield and one to take a 20-10 advantage.
- The three's continued to fall for the Golden Eagles later in the half as Christian Rodriguez hit the teams third with just under 10 minutes to play to take an 11-point lead.
- The Saints were able to get to the line later in the first half to cut the deficit to low as six. Carter Nyp quickly hit a three with 6:45 until the break to increase the lead back to 33-24.
- All nine players that played in the first half for CU scored in a balanced effort, led by eight points from Brent Hibbitts and Drew Knickerbocker. As a team Cornerstone hit six threes' in the first half and shot 43.2% to hold a 43-36 lead.
- Cornerstone struggled to find their offense to start the second half, scoring just two points in the first four minutes allowing Aquinas to cut the deficit back to just six at 45-39.
- Christian Rodriguez sparked the CU offense in the second half with five consecutive points to bring the Golden Eagles lead back to 11.
- With 11:50 to play, Aquinas used their second timeout of the game trailing 56-44.
- After the timeout, Tyler Baker hit a layup to give the Golden Eagles their largest lead of 14.
- Aquinas responded with an 8-2 run to cut the CU lead back to just eight and force the Golden Eagles into a timeout.
- The Saints continued to chip away as Justin Lary hit a huge three with 3:42 to play to make it just a four-point game at 68-64.
- Deric Murray recorded an and one bucket for the Saints with 1:05 to play cutting the Cornerstone lead to just one at 73-72 forcing the Golden Eagles into a timeout.
- Christian Rodriguez hit a difficult floater out of the timeout to give CU a 75-72 lead with 38.3 to play.
- The Saints had three opportunities at a three-pointer to tie the game, but were unable to hit as Cornerstone held off a pesky AQ squad to win 76-73.
By the Numbers
- Drew Knickerbocker recorded a career high 15 points in the win.
- Brent Hibbitts tallied his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
- Aquinas outscored CU at the free throw line going 20-31, while Cornerstone was 12-16.
- Both teams had 30+ points come from the bench with 32 from AQ's bench and 31 from Cornerstone's.
What's Next?
Cornerstone has Wednesday off due to bye, but will continue a three-game home stand vs. Lawrence Tech on Saturday, January 18. CU will honor Head Coach
Kim Elders Niece Alexa Tolsma on Saturday in a "Tolsma Tough" game as she continues to battle cancer.
Men's Basketball Contact:
Jesse Campbell
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