GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  –  Governor's State led for only 2:52 of the game, but were able to come into Mol Arena and steal a 79-73 win from the Golden Eagles. Christian Rodriguez led CU with 29 points as Cornerstone falls to 9-4 on the year. The Golden Eagles will return to WHAC play on Saturday for the final home game of the 2021 as they take on Rochester for a 3 p.m. tip. 

What you need to know? 

• The offenses each got off to a slow start as a total of nine points were scored in the first two and a half minutes as Cornerstone led 5-4. 
• The Golden Eagle offense then got hot going on an 11-3 run that forced Governor's State into a timeout. Christian Rodriguez hit a layup and a three in the run as CU led 21-11. 
• After the timeout, Jack Joldersma hit a bucket to bring the lead to 23-11 and conclude a 13-3 run. 
• The Jaguars responded with a 10-2 run that cut the Cornerstone lead back to four at 25-21. 
• Lamar Crenshaw hit a jumper with 5:34 to play to cut the GSU deficit to two at 31-29. 
• Drew Knickerbocker answered with a huge response three that was followed by a pair of Christian Rodriguez layups for a 7-0 run making it 38-29 with 3:57 to play in the first half. 
• Jack Jodersma capped off the first half with a dunk as the Golden Eagles led 44-36 at the break. 
• Christian Rodriguez started the second half strong with five points, including an and-one that brought the CU lead back to 11 at 49-38. 
• Once again, the resilient Governor's State squad responded with a 7-0 run to cut the Cornerstone lead to just four. 
• Christian Rodriguez powered yet another response, forcing GSU into a timeout after increasing it back to the largest it had been all game at 12, 61-49. 
• A trio of threes from DeAndrey Robinson II, Lamar Crenshaw, and Payton Harley again brought the Jaguars back into the game as they trailed 63-62 with 6:48 to play and forced Cornerstone into their first timeout.
• For the first time since 4-3, GSU gained the lead 64-63 with a fade away jumper from Lamar Crenshaw.
• Cory Ainsworth recorded a huge and-one to regain the lead but it did not last long as former high school teammate of Christian Rodriguez, Payton Harley tied the game at 69 with a three. 
• Harley and Crenshaw each hit huge buckets in the final two minutes while playing suffocating defense on the other end to secure a 79-73 win over Cornerstone. 

By the Numbers 
54.8-39.4 – The Jaguars shot 54.8% from the field while Cornerstone shot 39.4%. 
49 – The two Godwin Heights teammates Christian Rodriguez (29) and Payton Harley (20) combined for 48 points in the game. 
8 – Carter Nyp led the team with eight rebounds.
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone returns to WHAC play on Saturday vs. Rochester for a 3 p.m. tip with the Warriors. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
CU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Men's Basketball on: Twitter | Facebook