FORT WAYNE, Ind – Men's Basketball returned to Indiana Tech for the WHAC Championship game, looking to repeat as Champions. The game ended in an instant classic with the Golden Eagles winning in an overtime thriller 79-71 over the Warriors. Finding themselves down eight at halftime, the Golden Eagle men battled back to force overtime where
Mason Brooks and
Luke Rowlinson took over.
Blake Stewart led Cornerstone with 17 points as men's basketball repeats as WHAC Tournament Champions. The Golden Eagles will now await who they play in the first round of the National Tournament on March 6 as the selection show starts at 8 p.m.
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 79 Indiana Tech – 71 OT
First Half: Indiana Tech – 37 Cornerstone – 28
- Cornerstone and Indiana Tech opened the game trading baskets as Luke Rowlinson's jumper made it 6-5 Golden Eagles.
- Connor Dykema popped to the free throw line and nailed the jumper as the game is tied at 10 through the first five-minutes of play.
- Cornerstone found a quick 5-1 run to extend their lead 15-11 after a good Mason Brooks jumper.
- Eli Steffen scored five straight for the Golden Eagles as they lead 20-15 at the 10-minute media timeout as their defense has shined early.
- The Golden Eagles have continued to make Indiana Tech play their game as Bake Stewart's layup made it 24-21.
- Luke Rowlinson drills a three and Blake Stewart finishes again around the rim as Cornerstone has their largest lead of the game 29-23 as four-minutes remain in the half.
- Indiana Tech has responded with a 7-0 run after the media timeout to take a 30-29 lead over the Golden Eagles as the momentum has shifted to their side.
- Indiana Tech held Cornerstone scoreless for the final four-minutes and outscored them 14-0 in that time to take a 37-28 lead at halftime.
Second Half: Indiana Tech – 62 Cornerstone – 62
- Jack Joldersma scored four straight to open the second half for Cornerstone but Indiana tech would respond with four straight of their own to keep it an eight point game, 41-33.
- Luke Rowlinson drilled a pullup jumper, and Blake Stewart would follow with a wing three and huge dunk to make it a 45-42 game as first five-minutes of the second half have passed.
- Cornerstone has stormed back in the first seven-minutes of the second half to tie the game at 47 after Mason Brooks drilled a three.
- After Indiana Tech took the lead 50-47, Mason Brooks would hit his second straight three to tie it at 50. Eli Steffen would drive next possession and draw the foul to give Cornerstone the 51-50 lead.
- It has been a tight contest down the stretch as Andy Mora's pullup jumper gave Cornerstone a 55-53 lead, but Indiana Tech responded with a three to make it 56-55 as seven-minutes remain.
- Jack Joldersma hustled to grab the loose ball and then finished through contact to help give Cornerstone a 60-58 lead with four-minutes to go.
- Blake Stewart blows past his defender and scores an easy basket, Indiana Tech would then follow with free throws to make it a 62-62 game with a minute left.
- A costly turnover with 30 seconds left from the Golden Eagles gave Indiana Tech one last shot as they called a timeout to call up a play.
- Cornerstone found the stop they needed at the buzzer as the game headed to overtime tied at 62.
Overtime – Cornerstone – 79 Indiana Tech – 71
- The first points of overtime belonged to Indiana Tech as their layup made it 64-62 through 1:40 of play. Mason Brooks would instantly respond with a three, plus the foul to complete the four-point play to give Cornerstone a 66-64 advantage.
- Both Indiana Tech and Cornerstone continued to find scores when needed as a tip in from the Warriors made tied it at 68 with 2:30 left to play.
- Luke Rowlinson didn't want the tie anymore as he nailed a three and then Mason Brooks made an acrobatic layup to make it 73-70 with 1:19 to go. A stop is needed by the Golden Eagles.
- The Golden Eagles found the stop they needed but a foul is called as Indiana Tech headed to the line, making one of two to make it 73-71.
- Blake Stewart blew past his defender one more time to make it 75-71 as Indiana Tech threw up a three that was rebounded by Stewart as the Golden Eagles call a timeout with 30 seconds left.
- Cornerstone iced the game away at the free throw line to win their second straight WHAC Championship 79-71 over Indiana Tech.
By the Numbers
35.7% - Cornerstone held Indiana Tech to 35.7% from the field, making them play their game
17 –
Blake Stewart powered the Golden Eagles with 17 points and seven rebounds in the win
13 –
Mason Brooks and
Luke Rowlinson combined for 13 of the teams 17 points in overtime
12 – Coach
Kim Elders has now won his 12
th WHAC Tournament Championship
2 – Cornerstone has won back-to-back WHAC Championships
What's Next?
Cornerstone will now turn their attention to the NAIA National Tournament as the selection show will take place on March 6 at 8 p.m. as they await who they play in the first round on March 14.
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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