GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  –  The Golden Eagles held off Rochester in a defensive battle with the Warriors, earning a 68-62 victory behind five players scoring in double-figures. Christian Rodriguez led the way with 16 points while Cory Ainsworth recorded a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Cornerstone gets their 10^th win of the year and moves to 10-4, 5-1 WHAC as they will have a week off before traveling to Lourdes next Saturday. 

What you need to know? 

• The defenses were strong the first 2:30 of the game as a Carter Nyp three was the lone points for the Golden Eagles as they trailed 4-3. 
• Rochester took the first timeout of the game leading 11-5 with 15:39 to play in the first half. 
• Cornerstone started to speed the Warriors up which led to some easy offense as Carter Nyp recorded a dunk to make the deficit six at 15-9. 
• Drew Knickerbocker hit a three that cut the deficit to three at 17-14, but Rochester responded with a 6-0 run to go back on top 22-14. 
• Luke Rowlinson came off the bench to hit back-to-back threes to bring Cornerstone within two, 24-22. 
• Trent Summerfield followed it up with a layup to tie the game at 24 and cap off an 8-0 run. 
• With 2:32 to play in the first half, Carter Nyp hit a three to take their first lead since 3-2. 
• Jack Joldersma brought a spark at the end of the half with highlight reel block and put-back dunk to help Cornerstone hold a 33-29 advantage at the break. 
• Similarly to the start of the first half, both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm with both teams scoring just two points through the first three minutes of play. 
• A flagrant foul on Cory Ainsworth for a high elbow allowed Rochester to get two shots and the ball, cutting the CU lead to one at 37-36. 
• With 13:06 to play, Rochester used a timeout trailing Cornerstone 41-39. 
• Jack Joldersma continued his strong play, hitting three consecutive field goals to help CU maintain a 45-40 lead. 
• After Rochester tied the game at 45, Luke Rowlinson hit a big three to go back on top 48-45. 
• Christian Rodriguez hit an and-one, but Rochester scored four straight to tie the game at 51 as they used another timeout. 
• After the timeout, Luke Rowlinson, Christian Rodriguez, and Cory Ainsworth all hit buckets for a 6-0 run to give CU the 57-51 lead. 
• Cory Ainsworth was a workhorse on the offensive glass helping Cornerstone go up by seven, but the aggressiveness forced him to foul out with 3:58 to play. 
• Christian Rodriguez came to life in the final three minutes with five straight points including a three that gave Cornerstone their largest lead of the game at 10, 64-54. 
• The Warriors responded to cut it to three with a 7-0 run, but Trent Summerfield put the nail in the coffin with a layup with 41 seconds left to go on top 66-61. 
• CU hit enough free throws down the stretch to hold on and earn a 68-62 victory. 

 
By the Numbers 
5 – Cornerstone saw five players score in double-figures with Christian Rodriguez leading the way with 16. 
8 – Cornerstone recorded eight blocks, led by four from Cory Ainsworth. 
12/11 – Cory Ainsworth recorded his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. 
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone will have a week off before hitting the road to take on Lourdes on Saturday, December 11 at 3 p.m. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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