LIVONIA, Mich. – The Golden Eagles WHAC Tournament run came to an end on Monday as they fell 79-71 in the WHAC Championship to NAIA no. 14 Madonna. Cornerstone needed the win to qualify for nationals, but the balance of all five MU starters scoring was too much for CU to overcome.
Cory Ainsworth led Cornerstone with 21 points on the game. The season has now come to an end for CU as they end the year with a 20-12, 12-8 WHAC record.
What you need to know?
- Both offenses were rolling early as Cory Ainsworth scored the first four points and Tyler Baker hit back-to-back threes to give Cornerstone the 12-10 lead four minutes into the game.
- Tyler Baker scored 10 straight points in all to give Cornerstone the 16-13 advantage.
- CU got out to as much as a 22-13 lead thanks to an and one bucket from Gabe Meriwether, but Madonna immediately stormed back with a 9-0 run to tie it at 22 with 7:47 to go in the first half.
- Madonna used another 5-0 run to take the lead 30-25, but a big Trent Summerfield three cut it back to just two at 32-30.
- The Crusaders got up by as many as nine after a 9-3 run towards the end of the half. Cory Ainsworth hit a layup and Brent Hibbitts a three in the final minute to cut the deficit to 41-38 at the half.
- Madonna started half two on a tear, scoring seven straight points to jump on top by 10 points at 48-38.
- A three by Mark Mettie gave the Crusaders a 12-point lead at 53-41 for their largest lead of the game.
- Threes by Gabe Meriwether and Christian Rodriguez cut it back to a seven-point deficit, but Madonna immediately brought it back to 12 with 12:19 to play.
- A pair of free throws by Carter Nyp cut it to as low as six at 63-57.
- Cornerstone later cut it to as low as one point with 3:40 to go, thanks to an 8-0 run highlighted by a three pointer from Christian Rodriguez.
- The Crusaders ended the game on a 9-2 run. MU hit five free throws down the stretch to seal the Championship and highlighted the win with a Dwight Burton dunk.
- Cornerstone had a few opportunities to keep it close in the final minute, but multiple missed buckets inside and a big turnover down the stretch cost CU the game.
- Cory Ainsworth led the team with 21 points on 9-13 from the field.
By the Numbers
- Cornerstone struggled at the free throw line in the game going 9-17.
- Tyler Baker and Christian Rodriguez each were second on the team with 15 points.
- Christian Rodriguez recorded a season high seven assists in the loss.
- Cornerstone and Madonna each only had five points off their bench.
- Two MU players recorded double-doubles in the game, as Henry Speight had 19 points and 12 rebounds while Mark Mettie had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles season has come to an end at 20-12 overall and 12-8 in WHAC play.
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