GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - WHAC Tournament seeding is on the line in the final week of the regular season as Cornerstone hosts Madonna and Lourdes on Wednesday and Saturday. Saturday's contest vs. Lourdes at 3 p.m. will be a big celebration as CU will honor Head Coach Kim Elders for his 1000th career game and three seniors for Senior Day. Opening tip is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. A reminder that masks are required in all indoor facilities at Cornerstone and CU is asking all fans to please comply.
Seeding on the Line
Cornerstone comes into the final week of the regular season after three straight home victories vs. UM-Dearborn, UNOH, and Lawrence Tech to improve to 19-9, 13-5 WHAC. In the final two games of the year, seeding is on the line as the Golden Eagles with a win vs. Madonna could virtually clinch the two seed barring a circumstantial three way tie. Cornerstone still could enter the WHAC Tournament anywhere from the two-four seed depending on this weeks results.
Senior Day & Coach E 1000
On Saturday vs. Lourdes come celebrate with CU as they will honor seniors Blake Hildenbrand, Christian Rodriguez, and Jonny Strube for senior day. The team will also recognize Head Coach Kim Elders for his 1000th career game coached. Elders will become the sixth active coach in the NAIA to hit 1000, as he ranks top three in the state of Michigan all-time for games coached and career wins with 729. Alums will be free to Saturday's game.
Nyp 27 Away
Carter Nyp is currently on pace to break 1000 career points on Saturday vs. Lourdes as well as he needs 27 more to hit the mark. Nyp looks to become the 45th Golden Eagle in program history to hit 1000 career points.
Career High's
In the last game vs. Lawrence Tech, Christian Rodriguez tied a career high with 34-points on 6-12 from the three point line and 10-10 from the free throw line. Jack Joldersma also recorded a career high with 12 rebounds in the game to go along with four points.
Scouting Madonna
The Crusaders have an identical record to Cornerstone this season at 19-9, 13-5 WHAC. Barring a crazy circumstance, the winner of Wednesday's contest will be the two seed headed into the conference tournament. Madonna has won eight of their last nine games with the only loss coming last time out by five vs. Indiana Tech. Forward Mark Mettie has won back-to-back WHAC Player of the Week awards as he averages 19.7 PPG and 7.2 RPG. The three ball is Madonna's strength as they are sixth in the NAIA shooting 39.1% from deep.
Scouting Lourdes
The Gray Wolves have had an outstanding year but have struggled as of late, losing three of their last five games. Lourdes is one of the best in offensive production shooting 48.7% from the field and they also are athletic and pesky on the defensive end, averaging an NAIA 14th best 9.1 steals per game. LU has outstanding offensive balance with five players averaging double figures led by sophomore guard Joey Holifield at 15.8 per game.
