GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – With under a minute to go, Cornerstone had the chance to tie the game at the free throw line, but were unable to convert as the comeback fell just short in a 77-72 loss to (8) Indiana Tech. The loss drops CU to 14-8, 8-6 WHAC on the year overall as they remain in fifth in the WHAC standings. CU will next travel to Rochester looking for the season sweep against the Warriors, at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. 

Game Highlights:
 
First Half:

• The big man Cory Ainsworth was fed early and often, but Indiana Tech grad student Josh Kline played great defense against him, holding him to 1-3 from the field on the first three possessions. 
• Rog Stein put Indiana Tech on the board with a three to spark a Warrior 5-0 run to take a 5-2 lead. 
• Eli Steffen recorded an outstanding fast break block that led to a run out and Luke Rowlinson three, tying the game at seven just over four minutes into the game. 
• Cory McKinney hit a big three for Indiana Tech and Luke Rowlinson responded with one from the logo to stay within two, 16-14. 
• Mason Brooks put Cornerstone on top 19-16 with a chance at a four-point play, hitting a three and getting a second foul on IIT's Rog Stein. Just as CU did early, Indiana Tech responded right away with a three from Blake Davison to tie the game at 19. 
• Fouls became a huge problem in the first half, as Indiana Tech was in the one-and-one with over 10 minutes to play. 
• With Indiana Tech leading 23-22, Cornerstone rattled off a massive 8-0 run that was highlighted by a Toby Woolcock three-pointer. 
• The Warriors got right back into the game with a big dunk from Lucas Lehrman to make the deficit 34-32 with 3:53 to play. Indiana Tech used a timeout after nearly three minutes of uninterrupted fast paced action. 
• Eli Steffen made an outstanding move at the rim to split a double-team and hit a reverse layup after the timeout to put CU up by four, 38-34. 
• After some free throws to end the half, Cornerstone would hold a 40-38 lead. Luke Rowlinson led the team with 16 points on 5-8 shooting in the first 20 minutes. 

 
Second Half:

• Indiana Tech came out firing to start the second half, as Max Perez hit a three to give them the lead back 41-40. Eli Steffen immediately responded yet again though with a three of his own to put CU up 43-41. 
• Max Perez stayed hot scoring five straight and the three-ball continued to fall for the Warriors as the game was tied at 51 with 15 minutes to play. 
• Carter Nyp got the energy back in the building just a few minutes later with a putback dunk to put CU on top 53-51. 
• The lead continued to change hands as Indiana Tech went back on top with a three from Stee Helm with 11:42 to play. 
• Indiana Tech found an offensive run after the Helm three and Golden Eagle foul trouble, scoring nine consecutive points to force a CU timeout trailing 63-55. 
• After the timeout, Jack Joldersma found his first bucket of the game to stop the Warrior run. 
• With 4:24 to play, the Hudsonville product Max Perez hit a dagger three giving the Warriors their largest lead of the game, 72-62. 
• Cory Ainsworth fouled out of the game with 4:10 to play. 
• When it looked out of reach, Luke Rowlinson continued to come up clutch, hitting a three from well behind the line with a minute to play to put Cornerstone within five. Zach Velthouse then came up with a massive block to give Cornerstone a chance to cut it even closer at 74-69. 
• Next possession after the block, Mason Brooks hit a three with 41 seconds to go to get CU within two, 74-72. 
• Luke Rowlinson would foul Blake Davison and send him to the line with 31 seconds to play for a one-and one. He missed the front end, giving CU a chance to tie or take the lead after a Golden Eagle timeout. 
• Eli Steffen drove all the way to the hoop and was fouled, earning two free throws for the tie with 23 seconds to go. He could not hit either, giving the ball back to Indiana Tech. 
• Tech again went to the line and could only go 1-2, keeping it a one possession game. CU turned the ball over with the chance to tie resulting in the Warriors heading back to the line on the other end after a Cornerstone foul. 
• Cory McKinney iced the game for the Warriors with two free throws to give them the 77-72 road victory inside Mol Arena. 

 
By the Numbers 
6 – The Golden Eagles two leading scorers of Cory Ainsworth and Carter Nyp were each held to six points tonight. 
27 – Luke Rowlinson found his shot again, scoring 27 points just two short of his career high. 
5 – Indiana Tech had five players score in double-figures. All five of those being their starters. 
 
What's Next? 
Cornerstone hits the road to close a tough stretch at Rochester for a rare 1 p.m. tip. On Saturday, January 28. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
CU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Men's Basketball on: Twitter | Facebook