HENDERSON, Tenn. – Men's Basketball faced off against Spring Arbor in Tennessee for the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament and came away with a tough 83-81 defeat. For 40-minutes, it was a battle between two of the best teams in the state of Michigan that ended like a typical March game. The Golden Eagles had a chance to win it at the buzzer but the shot rattled off the rim and in the hands of Spring Arbor at the end of the game. Spring Arbor's Travis Grayson had a career day as he had a game high 33 points, Luke Rowlinson led the Golden Eagles with 24. Men's Basketball's 2024-25 season has now come to an end, finishing with an overall record of 22-10. For all things men's basketball, stay up to date at cugoldeneagles.com.
 
Game Recap – (9) Spring Arbor – 83 (8) Cornerstone - 81
 
First Half: Spring Arbor – 40 Cornerstone – 38

• The game started off hot with both teams scoring at will as a Jack Joldersma's layup made it 4-4 after two-minutes of action.
• Blake Stewart continued to drive and score at will as his back-to-back layups made it a 13-13 game at the first media timeout.
• Out of the media timeout, Spring Arbor used a 7-0 run to take a 20-13 lead over the Golden Eagles behind point guard Travis Grayson.
• The Golden Eagles continued to chip away at Spring Arbor's lead as free throws from Mason Brooks made it 22-21.
• Andy Mora gave the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game since a 9-6 advantage, with a layup to make it 25-24 with 10-minutes left in the first half.
• Travis Grayson of Spring Arbor continued to be a problem early for the Golden Eagles as another layup made it 31-27 in favor of the Cougars.
• A big 9-0 run by Spring Arbor saw them take a 40-31 advantage over Cornerstone with two-minutes left before the half.
• The Golden Eagles closed the half on a 7-0 run to make it 40-38 at the halfway mark. The game has been a game of runs as Spring Arbor leads by two, behind Travis Grayson's 20 first half points.

 
Second Half: Spring Arbor – 83 Cornerstone – 81

• Cornerstone opened the second half on a quick 4-0 run to take a 42-40 advantage thanks to Jack Joldersma's jumper.
• Spring Arbor would respond with three-straight made three pointers to take a 49-46 lead.
• A pair of free throws by the Cougars saw them extend their lead 55-49 as 13-minutes remain in the second half.
• Back-to-back threes and some free throws by Spring Arbor saw them take their biggest lead of the game, 63-53 over the Golden Eagles as 10-minutes remain on the clock.
• The Golden Eagles wouldn't back down as Luke Rowlinson would help start a 6-0 run to chip away at Spring Arbor's lead, 63-59.
• Every time the Golden Eagles found some momentum, Spring Arbor steps up and makes a tough shot as a layup from the Cougars made it 71-64 with 5:30 to go.
• Cornerstone has continued to not back down as jumpers from Luke Rowlinson and Blake Stewart made it a five-point game, 75-70 as 2:30 remains.
• Spring Arbor continued to make clutch shots down the stretch as they have extended their lead to eight 78-70 with 1:20 remaining.
• Cornerstone used hustle plays late to make it a game as Luke Rowlinson would make a three to make it 80-75 with 40 seconds left as CU called a timeout.
• The Golden Eagles got the turnover off the inbounds play as Mason Brooks drilled the three to make it 80-78 late as Cornerstone has found late life with 30 seconds left.
• Spring Arbor would make a pair of free throws to make it 82-78. Luke Rowlinson would respond with a rainbow three to make it 82-81 as Spring Arbor called a timeout.
• Spring Arbor would make one of two from the free throw line to make it 83-81 as the Golden Eagles have a chance for the last shot as 14 seconds remain.
• The Golden Eagles found the look they were wanting but did not cash it in as Spring Arbor escaped disaster with an 83-81 First Round victory.

 
By the Numbers
26 – Spring Arbor shot 26 total free throws, making 17 while the Golden Eagles only shot seven. Shooting 19 more.
24 – Luke Rowlinson left out on the court scoring a CU high 24 points
16 – Seniors Mason Brooks (16 points, nine rebounds) and Blake Stewart (16 points, 11 rebounds) both chipped in 16 points
2 – It was tough clean game between two great teams as Spring Arbor beat Cornerstone by two
 
What's Next?
The season has come to a close for men's basketball as they finished the year with an overall record of 22-10. For all thing's men's basketball, stay up to date at cugoldeneagles.com for schedule releases and signings.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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