Grand Rapids, Mich. – Men's Basketball (1-1) continued non-conference matchups with a game against the Tigers of Olivet Nazarene University (1-1). The Golden Eagles came into this game with a close loss against #6 Indiana Wesleyan and a hard fought win over #RV Spring Arbor, so it looked to be a different type of game against an unranked opponent inside of the Mol Arena. The first half was a fireworks show for the Golden Eagles as they shot 66.7% from the field and went 6-10 from the three point line. They finished half one on top 45-41. The second half was a much different story as Olivet Nazarene turned it around and shot 64.7% from the field and went 50% from beyond the arch. The Tigers were able to close out the game thanks to clutch free throw shots and won 100-96. The Golden Eagles look ahead to next Saturday for another non-conference matchup against the Foresters of Huntington University at 3 p.m. inside of the Mol Arena on the campus of Cornerstone University.

Game Highlights – Cornerstone – 96 Olivet Nazarene – 100

• First Half

  • Andy Mora got it going for Cornerstone with a good-ahead layup to start the first half and put Cornerstone up 2-0.

  • The Golden Eagles continued with seven more points to go up 9-0 early on against the Tiger off of a layup from Kayden Bird.

  • A flying dunk by Levi Schultz got the crowd going at Cornerstone still led 23-18.

  • Blake Stewart saw his three point shot fall to put Cornerstone back up 32-30 with just under four minutes left to play in the first half.

  • Kayden Bird's three point shot was successful to finish off the first half with Cornerstone ahead of Olivet Nazarene 45-41.

• Second Half

  • Another layup by Kayden Bird fell through the hoop to keep Cornerstone ahead 47-41 at the start of the second half.

  • Another three point shot from Andy Mora falls to maintain the Golden Eagle lead in the second half 65-58.

  • A huge three point shot by the Tigers saw them overtake Cornerstone 74-73 with just under nine minutes left to play in regulation.

  • Two good free throws by Kayden Bird tied the game back up 79-79 with just over seven minutes left to play in the half, as Cornerstone took a full timeout to set their game plan moving forward.

  • The Tigers made an important defensive stop late in the second half and made it a two-possession lead 86-82 with just about four and a half minutes left.

  • Trenton Boike took it into the arch and made his jumper to tie the game back up 86-86, which was followed by two more successful free throws by Kayden Bird to hand the lead back to Cornerstone 88-86.

  • Another good layup and free throw by Blake Stewart put Cornerstone back up 91-90 with two minutes left.

  • Kayden Bird missed the first attempt but sank the next, as he tied the score back up 94-94 with only fifty-three seconds left on the clock.

  • The Golden Eagles would be unable to find themselves back on top, as the Olivet Nazarene Tigers took home the win 100-96.

By the Numbers 

32 – Cornerstone's Kayden Bird led his team in total points at 32, five of those being three pointers.

25/61.1% - Blake Stewart was close behind Bird with 25 total points as he shot 61.1% from the field. Additionally, he put up 6 rebounds to support his team.

8/12 - Levi Schultz led his team in rebounds at eight, along with putting up 12 points of his own against the Tigers.

14 – The difference maker in this game was turnovers as Cornerstone had 14 to Olivet Nazarene's 6.

63.8% – The Golden Eagles shot 63.8% from the field compared to their opponent's 60%.

What's Next? 

The Golden Eagles look ahead to next Saturday for another non-conference matchup against the Foresters of Huntington University at 3 p.m. inside of the Mol Arena on the campus of Cornerstone University.

Men's Basketball Contact: Mason Young

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