SYLVANIA, Ohio –
Christian Rodriguez went for 28 tonight as the Golden Eagles continue to play their best basketball at the right time, taking down receiving votes Lourdes in the WHAC Quarterfinal 72-69. Rodriguez iced the game with a pair of free throws as Lourdes was unable to hit a game tying three to advance to the semifinals for the eighth consecutive season. Cornerstone will take on the WHAC Regular Season Champion and top seeded Warriors of Indiana Tech on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
What you need to know?
- Christian Rodriguez got off to a fast start for CU scoring five of the team's first nine points to get on top 9-6.
- Lourdes took their first lead on a pair of McRay White free throws to go up 10-9.
- After Lourdes got on top by as many as nine, Cornerstone responded with a 7-0 run highlighted by a Tyler Baker three pointer to cut it to two at 23-21.
- Drew Knickerbocker hit back-to-back threes and Christian Rodriguez hit another to tie the game at 30 with 4:13 to play in the first half.
- Cory Ainsworth hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to hold a three-point lead at the half 37-34.
- Cornerstone shot 46.7% from the field in the first half going 14-30 overall.
- Lourdes scored the first four points out of the half to take a one-point advantage before Gabe Meriwether hit a three to give the Golden Eagles the lead back at 40-38.
- Five minutes into the second half there was a total of 10 lead changes between the two sides. Christian Rodriguez stayed hot hitting a three to tie the game at 45 with 14:22 to play.
- The two teams continued to trade buckets as Trent Summerfield hit his first three of the game to give CU a 52-50 lead with 10:48 to play.
- Both defenses stepped up at this point in the game, as the score stayed 52-50 for over two minutes of game action.
- Christian Rodriguez continued to dominate from behind the arc hitting his fourth and fifth shot from deep to increase the Golden Eagle lead to 58-52.
- Lourdes went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead 59-58 with 4:13 to play highlighted by a three from Clif Snow.
- Cory Ainsworth had a big final few minutes hitting a layup and a couple free throws to get CU on top 66-63 with 1:28 to play.
- Clif Snow hit a fade away jumper for the Gray Wolves with 1:05 left to make it a one-point game at 66-65. Lourdes immediately called a timeout following the bucket.
- Christian Rodriguez hit a huge three out of the timeout to make it a two-possession game at 69-65.
- Lourdes got it back within one point with 16 seconds remaining but Christian Rodriguez iced the game with a pair of free throws to give CU the 72-69 win.
By the Numbers
- Christian Rodriguez was the only Golden Eagle in double-figures with 28 points on 6-8 from behind the arc.
- Brent Hibbitts led the team with nine rebounds in the game.
- The lead changed hands 17 times in the game, as Lourdes had the lead eight times and Cornerstone had the lead nine times.
- Cornerstone's largest lead of the game was only six points.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles have advanced to the WHAC Semifinal game where they will play the regular season champion Indiana Tech on Saturday, February 29 at 3 p.m.
Men's Basketball Contact:
Jesse Campbell
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