GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – In an absolutely electric atmosphere, the Golden Eagles survived in an overtime thriller as Jack Joldersma blocked the potential tying bucket at the buzzer to give CU a 77-75 victory. Cornerstone trailed much of the second half but came back to force overtime and earn the victory that keeps their NAIA National Tournament hopes alive as they sit at 22-9 overall. All four top seeds won their WHAC Tournament Quarterfinal, meaning the Golden Eagles will host the three seed Madonna in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 26. 

What you need to know? 

• CU hit two early threes before the struggles set in as Carter Nyp and Jonny Strube each hit one to put CU on top 6-2. 
• Lawrence Tech responded with a 13-2 run that was capped off by an Andrew Rinn three to make it 17-10 Blue Devils with 12:49 left in the first half. 
• Christian Rodriguez hit a three to tie the game at 19. 
• Cornerstone was able to keep it close in the first half, but struggled from the field shooting 30.8% and 15.0% from the three-point line. CU trailed 37-33 at the half. 
• With 14:31 to play in the second half, Christian Rodriguez hit a huge and-one bucket that gave CU their first lead of the second half, 44-41. 
• Lawrence Tech refused to go down though, responding with a 7-0 run to go back on top 48-46. 
• LTU would push their lead to as large as seven again, but in the final five minutes CU made a surge to regain the lead behind the duo of Christian Rodriguez and Cory Ainsworth. Rodriguez was fouled and hit both free throws to put CU up 67-66 with 1:27 to play. 
• The Blue Devils Brandon Beavers immediately responded with a three that put Lawrence Tech back on top 69-67. 
• With 56 seconds to play, Jack Joldersma got inside off a great pass from Christian Rodriguez and slammed one home to tie the game at 69. 
• After a defensive stop and a few chances on the offensive end thanks to great rebounding, Cornerstone had the chance for the final shot. Christian Rodriguez drove inside and was fouled with two seconds to play. In the one-and-one situation, Rodriguez missed the front end which resulted in the game going to overtime. 
• Cornerstone regrouped well in the overtime, as Cory Ainsworth scored four early points that helped CU go on top by six. 
• Lawrence Tech was held scoreless for the first 3:41 of the five-minute overtime period. 
• The Blue Devils got to the line and created a huge turnover down the stretch however that put them down two with the ball with under 20 seconds to play. 
• In the final possession, LTU went to the post and Andrew Rinn was blocked by Jack Joldersma to secure the 77-75 Golden Eagle overtime victory. 

 
By the Numbers 
14 – The block was a big factor tonight as the two teams combined for 14. LTU recorded eight while Cornerstone recorded six. 
29/6 – Christian Rodriguez despite being beaten up with injury tonight scored a team high 29-points to go along with six assists. 
54/9 – Cornerstone recorded a season high 54 rebounds tonight, as Jonny Strube and Jack Joldersma each led the way with nine. 
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone will host the WHAC Tournament Semifinal vs. the three seed Madonna on Saturday, February 26 at 3 p.m.  
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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