GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – In a back-and-forth brawl in the WHAC tournament semifinals, Madonna came out on top, taking down Cornerstone 103-102 in an OT thriller. Christian Rodriguez had himself a game, delivering throughout, including a deep, contested three with two seconds to play, to send the game to overtime. Each team went on runs and matched each other shot for shot in overtime before Madonna was able to finish the game and earn a spot in the WHAC tournament finals against Lourdes. Christian Rodriguez led the way for the Golden Eagles, while Noah Campbell led Madonna with 35 points, including the game-winning bucket. Cornerstone is now 22-10 on the season and will wait to see if they earn an at-large bid to the NAIA national tournament.

What you need to know? 

• Cory Ainsworth, getting the start after coming back from a nose injury, put in a layup to get the scoring started for CU.
• Jonny Strube hit an early three to tie the game up at 7-7.
• Christian Rodriguez scored nine straight points for the Golden Eagles, helping CU take an 18-16 lead, as both teams exchanged buckets.
• Down four, Drew Knickerbocker hit a big three with 6:47 to play to cut the Madonna lead to one.
• Carter Nyp and Eli Steffen hit clutch threes for Cornerstone to give them a 35-32 lead with 5:32 to play in the first half.
• Jack Joldersma would hit a layup with 48 seconds to play to finish first half scoring for the Golden Eagles as CU took a 45-42 into the half.
• Christian Rodriguez would continue his offensive output, hitting an early three for CU to extend their lead to 48-44.
• Madonna would take a two point lead briefly before Drew Knickerbocker tied it back up with a layup with 15:37 to play.
• Down by four, Carter Nyp would hit a three to keep CU close, down 55-54, with 14:38 to play.
• It was back-and-forth basketball between these two WHAC heavyweights for the next few minutes before a couple of baskets and a Jonny Strube three put the Golden Eagles up 78-71 with 5:42 to play.
• Madonna would make a small comeback, but Christian Rodriguez would ignite the crowd hitting a deep three with 3:15 to play, putting CU up 83-79.
• Things got tight down the stretch as each team delivered blows. Madonna would then go on an 9-2 run to go up 88-85.
• Christian Rodriguez was clutch at the end, nailing a three with two seconds to play to send the game to OT, 88-88.
• Cornerstone started off OT well, hitting a couple shots. Then a Drew Knickerbocker three put CU up 95-90. 
• Christian Rodriguez would continue his strong play, hitting a layup with 2:06 left in OT to put the Golden Eagles up 97-92.
• Madonna would storm back, going on an 8-3 run to tie the game up at 100 with 15 seconds to play. Noah Campbell then hit a free throw after being fouled on his game tying three to put Madonna up 101-103.
• Christian Rodriguez hit two free throws, then Madonna responded with a layup to take a one-point lead with 6 seconds to play.
• A Carter Nyp three at the buzzer would be no good as Madonna took the win 103-102 in OT.

By the Numbers 
34/19 – Christian Rodriguez dropped 34 and Jonny Strube scored 19 as the seniors led the way for the Golden Eagles in this one.
5 – Golden Eagles in double figures in this high scoring affair.
46/42 – Points in the paint by Madonna (46) and Cornerstone (42).
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone will wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to the national tournament. For more men's basketball news, check out cugoldeneagles.com and CU social media channels.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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