MARION, Ind. – Similarly to last year's season opener, the Golden Eagles were unable to keep pace with the number three ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats, falling 107-80 on the road in the WHAC/CL Challenge opener. The Wildcats got up by as many as 22 in the first half and did not let up, shooting 50% from the field in the game while holding CU to 42.3% from the field. Cornerstone has a chance to respond with a quick turnaround game tomorrow vs. Spring Arbor at 12 p.m. to conclude the WHAC/CL Challenge.
What you need to know?
- The number three ranked Wildcats got off to a fast start scoring the first seven points of the game capped off by a three from last year's NAIA National Player of the Year in Kyle Mangus.
- After a slow start offensively, Tyler Baker hit a three that cut the deficit to five, five minutes into the game at 15-10.
- IWU once again tried to pull away but a three from Drew Knickerbocker at the 12:05 mark once again cut the deficit back to five.
- The Wildcats then poured on a 17-2 run to blow the lead up to 22 at 44-22.
- Cornerstone was able to cut it back to 16, but a Kyle Mangus dunk to end the half put the Golden Eagles in a 19-point hole at the break at 54-35.
- Indiana Wesleyan shot 50% from the field in the first half and saw three players in double figures.
- In the second half, Cornerstone was able to cut it to 15 quickly behind a pair of buckets from Cory Ainsworth and a layup from Riley Costen.
- The Wildcats responded with a 10-0 run to bring the lead to 25 at 66-41.
- Cornerstone could not find a way to bring the game back within 20 as IWU increased the lead to as large as 29, and finished the game with the 107-80 win over the Golden Eagles.
- The bench saw significant minutes for the Golden Eagles in the loss, scoring 35 of the teams 80 points behind Drew Knickerbocker's career high 18.
By the Numbers
60-48 – Both teams found a lot of success in the paint with IWU scoring 60 in the lane and Cornerstone scoring 48.
6 – Indiana Wesleyan had six players record double figures in the game.
8-10 –
Drew Knickerbocker scored a career high 18 points on 8-10 shooting in the game to lead the team.
14/6 –
Riley Costen recorded 14 points and brought down six rebounds in his return to the team after over a year off with injury.
3 –
Eli Steffen,
Luke Schrotenboer, and
Grant Baker all saw their first time on the court in a Golden Eagle uniform.
16 – Senior
Tyler Baker scored six points and is now 16 away from being the next Golden Eagle to achieve 1,000 career points.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles jump right back into game two of the season with a game vs. Spring Arbor at noon tomorrow that concludes the WHAC/CL Challenge.
Men's Basketball Contact:
Jesse Campbell
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