LIVONIA, Mich. – One win away from a WHAC Tournament Championship, Cornerstone traveled to Livonia, Michigan to take on the 14th ranked Madonna Crusaders. Men's Basketball would come away with their first WHAC Tournament Title since the 2016-17 season with an 88-73 victory. This is the 11^th time in Coach E's Hall of Fame career that he has won the WHAC Tournament as fifth year Cory Ainsworth surpassed 2,000 career points with a 24-point, 10-rebound performance. The game would not have been won without two career highs off the bench from Mason Brooks (29 points) and Blake Stewart (18 points) to pace the Golden Eagle offense. Men's Basketball will wait to see who they play in the first round of the National Tournament as the NAIA Selection show is on Thursday, March 7. 
 
Game Highlights – #RV Cornerstone – 88 #14 Madonna - 73
 

• First Half
  • It was a slow start for the Golden Eagles with a few turnovers as Madonna leads 4-0.
  • Cornerstone answered with a 7-2 run thanks to five points from Luke Rowlinson to take a 7-6 lead.
  • Mason Brooks comes out on fire off the bench, scoring eight straight points with two threes to make it 18-12.
  • Cory Ainsworth scores seven straight for Cornerstone to make it 25-12 as Madonna is forced to call a timeout. Making a three at the 7:52 mark, Cory surpassed 2,000 career points as a Golden Eagle.
  • Ainsworth continues to score for Cornerstone as he hits his second three of the game to make it a 30-18 advantage.
  • Mason Brooks and Blake Stewart have been hot off the bench as a couple more baskets from them makes it 39-26 a minute before halftime.
  • Mason Brook pump fakes twice and sends two defenders flying as he drills the three pointer as the buzzer sounds to give Cornerstone a 42-28 advantage at halftime.

 

• Second Half
  • Cornerstone continue to hold their lead through the first three minutes of the second half, leading 48-33.
  • Cory Ainsworth, Mason Brooks, and Blake Stewart continue to be the three top scorers as their baskets make it a 59-41 advantage with 13-minutes to go.
  • Blake Stewart makes a move and spins his way to a layup as Cornerstone leads 73-54.
  • Mason Brooks nails his seventh three and Blake Stewart makes another layup to make it 79-62 game as Cornerstone is just three minutes away from a WHAC Title.
  • Cory Ainsworth puts the dagger into the Crusaders hearts with his third three pointer, making 82-62 with under two to go.
  • For the first time since the 2016-17 season, men's basketball is the WHAC Tournament Champions with an 88-73 victory over Madonna.

 
By the Numbers
2,000 – Cory Ainsworth surpassed 2,000 career points with a 24/10 performance
29 – Mason Brooks scored a career high 29 points to pace the Golden Eagle offense
18 – Blake Stewart scored a career high 18 points off the bench
11 – This is the 11^th time coach E has won a WHAC Tournament
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone will tune into the National Tournament selection show on Thursday, March 7 to see who they play in the first round on March 15.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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