GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – The Golden Eagles continued their recent dominance over rival Aquinas on Wednesday evening with a 77-67 road victory against the Saints. CU withstood multiple Aquinas runs and saw strong offensive performances from Tyler Baker and Christian Rodriguez to move to 6-3, 3-1 WHAC on the year. CU continues a three-game road stent at Rochester on Saturday at 3 p.m. 

What you need to know? 
-        Aquinas got off to a fast start, hitting a pair of threes to go on top 8-2 in the first 2:30 of the game. 
-        After the first media timeout, the Cornerstone defense picked up the intensity which led to high quality offense and helped the Golden Eagles to an 11-2 run that tied the          game at 17. Gabe Meriwether recorded a dunk and Trent Summerfield hit a three on the run. 
-        The Saints responded with another big run, outscoring CU 12-4 over a four-minute span to go back on top 31-23. 
-        Christian Rodriguez and Kyle Hayes combined for 11 consecutive points to quickly tie the game back up at 34 with 2:27 to play in the first half. 
-        One bucket was scored in the final two minutes of the half, as AQ's Gabe Overway scored inside to give the Saints a 36-34 advantage at the half. 
-        The two teams opened the second half a combined 3-9 from the field, before Tyler Baker hit a three to put Cornerstone on top 40-38. 
-        Tyler Baker continued his offensive burst, scoring 10 consecutive points for the Golden Eagles to give them their largest lead at 47-39. 
-        Aquinas would not go away getting inside and to the free throw line, tying things back up at 51 with 9:45 to play. 
-        Cornerstone responded with an 8-2 run highlighted by a Gabe Meriwether dunk to go back on top 59-53. 
-        Once again Aquinas responded tying the game at 63 with 3:08 to play on a Justin Lary three pointer. 
-        Tyler Baker continued to have the response for the Golden Eagles, hitting a three to spark a 9-0 run to give CU the 72-63 advantage with just over a minute to play. 
-        There was not enough time for Aquinas to respond one final time, as Cornerstone earned their eighth consecutive win against the Saints, 77-67. 
 
By the Numbers 
12/10 – Riley Costen recorded his second career double-double, first that involved rebounds with 12 points and a career high 10 boards. 
18 – Tyler Baker and Christian Rodriguez each had a game high 18 points. 
10-12 – Riley Costen hit 10 free throws, the first Golden Eagle double-digit free throw performance since Sam Vander Sluis in the NAIA National Tournament in 2019. 
41-31 – Cornerstone outrebounded Aquinas 41-31 on the day. 
9-6 – Aquinas hit nine threes to Cornerstone's six. 

What's Next?
The Golden Eagles travel to a tough Rochester University on Saturday for game two of a three game road trip. The game is set to tip at 3 p.m. at Garth Pleasant Arena.  
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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