UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. – On the final day of games in Chicago, women's basketball tested #8 Rio Grande but fell short 103-89. The Golden Eagles stuck around all game thanks to Jaxi Long's 26 points and Mackenzie Goodwin's 19 points, but the fast-paced Rio Grande offense was too much. The Red Storm shot 54.9% for the game, taking off with a 31-point third quarter to grab some breathing room over the Golden Eagles. Women's Basketball falls to 7-7 on the year as they will look to recover and regroup for the second half of the season with a conference matchup against Lourdes on Saturday, January 4.

Game Recap: #8 Rio Grande – 103 Cornerstone - 89

First Quarter – Rio Grande – 26 Cornerstone – 25

• Through the first two minutes of the first quarter, Rio Grande holds a 5-2 advantage over the Golden Eagles.
• Rio Grande is the first to 10 points but a three from Jaxi Long made it 10-9 after three-minutes.
• It continued to be all offense to open this game as Rio Grande continued to lead 15-13 after the first five-minutes.
• The first big run of the game belonged to Rio Grande as their 6-0 run sees them extend their lead 23-16. Mackenzie Goodwin would end that run with a three to make it 23-19.
• Jaxi Long beats the first quarter buzzer with a floater, but the Golden Eagles continued to find themselves down 26-25.

Second Quarter – Rio Grande – 45 Cornerstone – 44

• A 5-0 run by the Golden Eagles sees them take their first lead of the game 30-28 thanks to a three from Jaxi Long and a layup from Mackenzie Goodwin.
• Rio Grande instantly went on an 12-2 run to retake and extend their lead 40-32 over the Golden Eagles through the first five-minutes of the second quarter.
• Cornerstone responded with an 8-3 run to make it 43-30 thanks to a couple baskets from Laura Innerebner.
• A slow second half of the second quarter for both offenses still sees Rio Grande lead 45-44 over Cornerstone.

Third Quarter – Rio Grande – 76 Cornerstone – 61

• Rio Grande opened the third quarter on an 8-3 run as Laura Innerebner ends it with a layup to make it 53-48.
• The Red Storm have extended their lead to 10 as a couple free throws made it 64-54 over the Golden Eagles with four-minutes left in the third.
• Olivia Kubik made the tough layup and fouled; she completed the three-point play to make it a 68-59 game.
• The Golden Eagles find themselves down big, 76-61 as they let up 30+ points in the third quarter for the second straight game.

Fourth Quarter – Rio Grande – 103 Cornerstone – 89

• The Golden Eagles opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run thanks to baskets from Emma Costen and Jaxi Long.
• Cornerstone has continued to stick around as more baskets from Emma Costen and Jaxi Long made it 84-71 with 6:30 to go in the fourth.
• An 8-2 Golden Eagle run highlighted by back-to-back threes from Jaxi Long made it a three-possession game, 91-83 with 3:28 left in the fourth.
• Rio Grande responded to that run with one of their own as they now lead the Golden Eagles 102-87 late in the fourth.
• The Golden Eagles test the eighth ranked team in the country but fall short 103-89 to Rio Grande.

 
By the Numbers:
26 – Jaxi Long led the Golden Eagles with 26 points
22 – The Golden Eagles had 22 assists on 37 made baskets
5 – Five Golden Eagles scored in double figures – Jaxi Long (26), Mackenzie Goodwin (19), Emma Costen (11), Olivia Kubik (10), and Laura Innerebner (10)
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone remains on the road as they travel to Lourdes on Saturday, January 4 for their first game of 2025.
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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