GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Men's Basketball looked to keep it rolling with a big matchup against a surging Madonna team and the Golden Eagles couldn't slow them down in an 86-81 loss. The Golden Eagles struggled to handle the ball in the first half, turning the ball over 11 times. The second half was a different story as Cornerstone played their way as they made it a two-point game, but clutch shots down the stretch from Madonna were too much to handle. Mason Brooks led the way with 25 points for the Golden Eagles as men's basketball falls to 15-8 (11-4) on the year. The men will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Defiance on Saturday, February 8.
 
Game Recap – Madonna – 86 Cornerstone - 81
 
First Half: Madonna – 45 Cornerstone - 32

• It was a slow start on offense for both teams as the game remained scoreless through the first two-minutes.
• Mason Brooks broke the seal on offense for the Golden Eagles with a step back three to give Cornerstone a 3-2 advantage after the first four minutes.
• Mason Brooks has scored all eight Golden Eagles points as the Crusaders lead 9-8 after seven minutes.
• The Crusaders have outworked the Golden Eagles early on the glass as an offensive rebound led to a three to make it 17-10.
• Kayden Bird hit back-to-back threes, and Connor Dykema completed the three-point play to make it a 20-19 game after 10-minutes of action.
• A quick 8-0 run by Madonna saw them extend their lead 28-19 over the Golden Eagles as they called a timeout to regroup.
• The turnovers have killed the Golden Eagles as two more led to easy baskets for Madonna as they lead 32-19 over Cornerstone.
• Matthew MacLellan of Madonna cannot be stopped down low as he has helped grow the Crusader lead 39-23 over the Golden Eagles.
• Toby Woolcock gave the Golden Eagles a small spark with back-to-back layups to make it a 42-30 game with a minute left.
• Toby Woolcock scored one last time before the halftime buzzer as the Golden Eagles trail 45-32 at half. Cornerstone has turned the ball over 11 times in the half.

Second Half: Madonna – 86 Cornerstone - 81

• Both teams opened the second half with easy layups around the rim as Madonna continued to lead big 49-38.
• The Golden Eagles have continued to find some momentum on offense as Connor Dykema's tip in made it 49-42 through the first four minutes of the second half.
• Deep three from Madonna cut down any Cornerstone momentum as they lead 56-45 with 12-minutes left.
• Madonna has drilled three straight threes in a row as the Golden Eagles have had problems on the defensive end as they trail 65-49.
• Toby Woolcock has drilled back-to-back threes for Cornerstone as that made it a 65-55 game.
• Connor Dykema finished through contact to bring it within single digits as Madonna leads 69-61 with six-minutes left.
• A hustle play resulted in a Mason Brooks three-point play that made it 69-64. Momentum has gained on the Golden Eagle side.
• A three from Luke Rowlinson and a layup from Toby Woolcock cut it to two, 71-69 Madonna with just under four-minutes left in the second half.
• Luke Rowlinson would drill a three and Madonna would answer with a three of their own as that three made it 78-72 Madonna with 2:16 left.
• Back-to-back threes from Mason Brooks and Luke Rowlinson made it an 80-78 game with just over a minute left.
• Ethan Emerzian hit a deeper shot clock three to make it 84-78 with 16 seconds left but Mason Brooks would hit one of his own threes to make it 84-81 as eight seconds remain.
• Madonna hit enough clutch shots down the stretch as the Golden Eagles fall 86-81.

 
By the Numbers
22 – Toby Woolcock recorded a career high 22 points
14 – Cornerstone turned the ball over 14 times, 11 came in the first half
11/8/7 – Connor Dykema did a little of everything as he had 11 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds on the day
48.3 – Madonna drilled 14 threes on a 48.3% clip for the game
 
What's Next?
Men's Basketball will return to action on Saturday, February 8 as they travel to Defiance for a conference matchup.