GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles shut down one of the best teams in the WHAC on Wednesday night, holding the Gray Wolves to just 63 points to earn the 68-63 upset home victory. The win puts Cornerstone at 16-11, 10-8 WHAC with just two regular season games remaining as they will take on rival Aquinas at the Sturrus Center on Saturday at 3 p.m. CU is now 5-5 against NAIA DII Top 25 or receiving votes opponents this season.
What you need to know?
- The defensive pressure of the Gray Wolves early wreaked havoc for the Golden Eagles, forcing three turnovers in the first 3:30 as the team trailed 6-2.'
- Nick Weltch for Lourdes dominated in the post in the first eight minutes scoring 11 of the team's first 14 points as they took a 14-11 lead.
- Kyle Hayes scored six consecutive points for CU to make it a 15-13 game.
- An and one by Tyler Baker and a Cory Ainsworth layup helped Cornerstone tie the game at 18 with 8:04 to play in the first half.
- Christian Rodriguez hit a free throw to give CU their first lead since 2-0 at 19-18. Lourdes then called a timeout with the game tied at 20 and 6:11 to play in the period.
- A Christian Rodriguez three and a Tyler Baker last second bucket gave Cornerstone the 31-26 advantage at the half.
- Lourdes began the second half on a 5-0 run to tie it at 31 before Gabe Meriwether hit a three to regain the lead at 34-31. Meriwether than hit a layup to make it 36-31 and force the Gray Wolves into a timeout.
- For every Cornerstone run, Lourdes had an answer taking the lead back at 44-43 with 12:30 to play.
- The defenses began to take over in the next 4:30 as a total of just six points were scored with Cornerstone retaking the lead 47-46.
- Carter Nyp hit a huge three to give CU their largest lead of the game at 53-46.
- Cornerstone called timeout leading 55-51 with 4:47 to play.
- After the score was 53-49, the two teams traded trips to the free throw line as the next nine points were all scored at the line to make it 57-54 in favor of Cornerstone.
- CU got the lead back to five on a Cory Ainsworth layup with 1:48 to play, but Lourdes immediately closed the gap making it a one-point game again at 61-60 with 50 seconds to play.
- Gabe Meriwether hit a massive and-one bucket with 33 seconds to go to make it a four-point game at 64-60.
- Mike Bruce hit a three for Lourdes to make it 64-63, but Kyle Hayes got a huge rebound after a missed Christian Rodriguez free throw to ice the game and earn a 68-63 upset win.
By the Numbers
- Cornerstone held Lourdes leading scorer Clif Snow to just five points and 0-3 from the field.
- CU outscored LU in the paint 34-24.
- Cory Ainsworth led the team with 15 points on 6-7 shooting.
- Eight different Golden Eagle players scored in the game.
What's Next?
Cornerstone will travel down the road to take on rival Aquinas on Saturday at 3 p.m. for the last regular season road game of the year.
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Jesse Campbell
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