GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles shoot a season low 24.2% after a long stretch off in the Battle of the CU's as they fall to cross-town Calvin 71-55 on Tuesday evening. CU was held to a season low 55 points as they got off to a slow start and were never able to recover. Cornerstone is now 6-6 on the year as they will head home for Christmas before returning to play at Trinity International on December 28. 
 
Game Flow:

• The game opened in a unique way with a technical foul being called on the Knights. Jaxi Long hit a free throw before the opening tip to put CU on top 1-0. 
• A frustrated Calvin responded with a 9-0 run in under two minutes once action opened, using a quick pace to beat CU down the floor and force an early timeout. 
• Cornerstone hit their first field goal later in the first quarter, as a 2-1 fast break led to an Olivia Kubik layup that cut the deficit to 10-4. 
• Jaylee Long later added the Golden Eagles first three to cut the lead to 15-8. Calvin responded with a three however from Sydney Cleary to go up 11 with 2:33 to go in the period.
• The free throw line was the Golden Eagles friend in the first quarter, going 9-11 from the strike to trail 23-16 after 10 minutes of play. 
• Cornerstone started to find more of an offensive rhythm in the second quarter against the length of Calvin. An early driving layup from Stephanie Ainsworth and inside layup from Jaxi Long brought CU within five at 25-20. 
• Despite the outside game not being the Knights strength, another Sydney Cleary three and two buckets outside the paint helped Calvin respond with a 7-0 run to make it 32-20 and force another Golden Eagle timeout. 
• After the timeout, Sara Nealy pump faked a three and drove to the hoop to earn an and-one bucket to bring the Calvin advantage to 35-20. 
• The Calvin run was halted at 12-0, as Olivia Kubik hit a three to bring CU back within 14. 
• In the final four minutes of the half, Cornerstone was unable to inch any closer trailing 42-27 at the intermission and shooting just 21.9% from the field. 
• Jaxi Long hit a three right out of the half to get the Golden Eagles offense going. 
• Cornerstone continued to find their way to the free throw line and chip away. Maddison Fulks and Mackenzie Stein hit free throws to cut the deficit to nine, 44-35 with 6:31 to play in the third. 
• After multiple Calvin offensive rebounds, Sydney Cleary hit a big three to put the Knights back on top by 14, 51-37. 
• Olivia Kubik scored four straight to end the third for CU as they trailed 55-42. 
• Calvin opened the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run to increase their lead to the largest of the game at 60-42. 
• Again Cornerstone tried to respond as Jaxi Long hit a pair of layups to cut the deficit back to 11 with 3:59 to play. 
• Cornerstone was unable to get within single digits, falling 71-55 on the road. 

 
 
By the numbers:
1-0 – Cornerstone held a 1-0 lead before the game began due to a technical foul and never held a lead the remainder of the game.
21-27 – Free throws kept CU in the game, going 21-27 from the line. 
11/12 – Stephanie Ainsworth recorded a double-double on the day with 11 points and 12 boards. This is her third double-double of the season. 
 
What's next? 
Cornerstone will pick up play at Trinity International after Christmas with their next game on Wednesday, December 28 at 4 p.m. 
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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