GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Women's Basketball welcomed Cleary for their first game of Christmas Break and came away with a close 72-71 victory thanks to a Stephanie Ainsworth block. Cornerstone had control of the entire game until Cleary used a big rally in the fourth to make it close but never saw them take the lead as the Golden Eagles led all 40-minutes. Jaxi Long led once again for the Golden Eagles with 21 points as Cornerstone improves to 6-5 (5-0) on the year. Women's Basketball welcomes #23 Indiana Tech on Wednesday, December 18 for a conference showdown starting at 5:30 p.m.

Game Recap: Cornerstone – 72 Cleary – 71

First Quarter – Cornerstone – 25 Cleary – 14

• It was a great start for the Golden Eagles as they opened the game on a 7-0 run that was highlighted by a Jaylee Long three.
• Mackenzie Goodwin made a layup and Jaxi Long followed with a three to help Cornerstone to a 5-0 run as they lead 12-4 through the first three-minutes.
• Jaylee Long made her second three of the quarter and Stephanie Ainsworth made an easy layup off a high-low pass as it is all Golden Eagles in the first, 19-7.
• Olivia Kubik made back-to-back threes for the Golden Eagles and Cleary responded with a three of their own to make it 25-14 after the first quarter.

Second Quarter – Cornerstone – 38 Cleary – 32

• Cornerstone and Cleary opened the second quarter with easy points to make it 30-18 after the first minute.
• A 5-0 run by Cleary sees them cut into Cornerstone lead 30-23 but a jumper from Mackenzie Goodwin stopped the run to make it 32-23.
• Cleary continued to stick around in the second quarter as another jumper made it 36-27 with two-minute to go.
• The Cougars ended the second quarter on a 4-0 run as the Golden Eagles lead 38-32 through the first 20-minutes of the game.
• Both teams have shot well from the floor. Cornerstone shot 48.4% with the Cougars at 46.2% as the difference is behind the arc as Cornerstone has made six compared to Cleary's two

Third Quarter – Cornerstone – 59 Cleary – 49

• Cleary opened the third quarter on a 5-0 run to make it a one-point game, 38-37 after the first minute of the third.
• The Golden Eagles responded with a 7-2 run that was highlighted by five-points from Jaxi Long to re-extend the lead 45-39.
• Jaxi Long continued to be the spark on offense for the Golden Eagles as she made another three to make it 48-41.
• A 6-0 run by Cleary made it a one-point game once again as three-minutes remain in the third quarter.
• The Golden Eagles responded with an 8-0 thanks to four points from Stephanie Ainsworth and Mackenzie Goodwin to make it 56-47.
• Jaxi Long caps off a great run to end the third quarter with a buzzer beater three to give the Golden Eagles a 59-49 lead into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter – Cornerstone – 72 Cleary – 71

• Jaxi Long opened the fourth quarter with four quick points as the Golden Eagles lead 63-49.
• The Golden Eagles continued to fend off Cleary as a three from Olivia Kubik made it 70-60.
• Cleary has gone on a 5-0 run to make it a 70-65 game with just under four-minutes to go in the fourth.
• Stephanie Ainsworth ended the Cleary 7-0 run with a layup as it is Golden Eagles 72 Cleary 67 with 2:30 to go.
• The Cougars used a 4-0 run to make it 72-71 as Cornerstone has the ball with a minute left.
• After a stop on the defensive end, Cleary calls a timeout with five seconds to go as they look to draw up a play.
• Stephanie Ainsworth says no on the out of bounds play as her blocks seals off Cornerstone's 72-71 victory over Cleary.

 
By the Numbers:
21 – Jaxi Long led the way with a game high 21 points along with grabbing six rebounds
18 – The Golden Eagles forced 18 Cougar turnovers
14 – Mackenzie Goodwin and Stephanie Ainsworth both chipped in 14 points
8 – Mackenzie Goodwin tied a career high with eight assists for the game
 
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles remain at home as they take on #23 Indiana Tech on Wednesday, December 18 starting at 5:30 p.m.
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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