BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Men's Basketball traveled into Illinois to take on Olivet Nazarene and came away with tough 73-66 victory. The Golden Eagles started the first half strong, riding the hot hand of Kayden Bird to a 38-21 halftime lead, but would be outscored by 10, 45-35 in the second half but doing just enough down the stretch to hold onto the victory. Kayden Bird and Luke Rowlinson led the way with 17 and 16 points as the Golden Eagles move to 2-2 on the year. Men's Basketball has the next week to prepare as they travel to #19 Huntington on Saturday, November 16.
 
Game Recap - #RV Cornerstone – 73 Olivet Nazarene - 66
 
First Half: Cornerstone – 38 Olivet Nazarene - 21

• Eli Steffen and Tanner Wiegerink made threes for the Golden Eagles to start the game to give Cornerstone an early 6-5 lead.
• Connor Dykema, Luke Rowlinson, and Andy Mora find easy scores around the rim as the Golden Eagles extend their lead 14-8.
• An 8-0 run highlighted all by Kayden Bird gave Cornerstone a 22-8 lead with just under 10-minutes to go in the first half.
• Cornerstone continued to find the hot hand of Kayden Bird as two more threes from him extended the Golden Eagle lead 32-19.
• The defense of the Golden Eagles continued to hold the Tiger offense down as another stop led to an easy Eli Steffen layup that made it 36-20.
• The Golden Eagles head into halftime happy as they lead 38-21 as they held Olivet Nazarene to 23.5% from the floor.

Second Half: Cornerstone – 73 Olivet Nazarene - 66

• Olivet Nazarene opened the second half on a quick 6-2 run to slowly chip away at the Golden Eagle lead.
• Caleb Swearingen and Luke Rowlinson trade threes as Cornerstone continued to lead 46-33.
• Cornerstone and Olivet Nazarene continued to trade baskets as Andy Mora and Kayden Bird scored to keep the Golden Eagle lead to double digits with 11:26 to go in the second half.
• An Olivet Nazarene 6-2 run saw them make it a seven-point Golden Eagle lead but a Luke Rowlinson layup made it back to nine with 8:26 to go.
• Three free throws and a made three from Olivet Nazarene made it a three-point game as the Golden Eagle offense has slowed in the second half.
• A steal by Eli Steffen led to a dunk and Luke Rowlinson followed that with a deep three that gave the Golden Eagles some cushion, 62-54 with five to go in the second half.
• A big offensive rebound from Blake Stewart led to a Toby Woolcock three to make it 67-59 but the Tigers answered with a three of their own to keep it a five-point game with 2:30 to go.
• Graduate to graduate connection of Eli Steffen to Tanner Wiegerink led to a much-needed score for Cornerstone as they lead 70-63 with one minute left in the game.
• Cornerstone struggled at the free throw line down the stretch but made enough to escape with a 73-66 victory.

 
By the Numbers
17 – Kayden Bird scored a game high 17 points thanks to five made threes
9 – The Golden Eagles recorded nine blocks on the game
9 – Cornerstone shot 9-18 from the free throw line, 50% for the game
45% - The Golden Eagles shot 45% from the field, holding Olivet Nazarene to 35%
 
What's Next?
Men's Basketball remains on the road as they travel to #19 Huntington for a nonconference matchup on Saturday, November 16 for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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