Grand Rapids, Mich.. – Men's Basketball faced a mountain against the number two in conference Madonna University in Golden Eagle territory. The Crusaders held a strong 16-point lead at the end of the first half as Cornerstone shot 36.4% from the field compared to the Crusaders' 54.3%. The second half saw the Golden Eagles back into the contest as they kept tying the game up and were within a one-possession game with under a minute to go before a big three pointer from the Crusaders put it out of reach for Cornerstone. Madonna would take the win 84-79 despite the late battle by the Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles will host Lawrence Tech for Alumni Day and Poster Night this upcoming Saturday, January 31 at 3 P.M. inside of the Mol Arena.

Game Highlights – Cornerstone – 87 Madonna – 79

• First Half

  • The Crusaders started the game with a four-point lead as Cornerstone struggled to get their offense going.

  • A layup by Levi Schultz kept the Golden Eagles within three points of Madonna, as the Crusaders led 8-11.

  • Colin Heyboer made the first three of the game for Cornerstone as the Golden Eagles found themselves down 20-15.

  • Kayden Bird followed it up with his own three pointer to bring it within four points. Madonna still held the lead 22-18.

  • A jumper by Blake Stewart tied the game back up 24-24.

  • The Crusaders went up to a 10-point lead with just about three minutes to go in the half 36-26.

  • Kayden Bird's three pointer added to the tally, but Cornerstone remained behind by 14 points, 43-29.

  • A steal on the inbound by Tre Seydel cut the Madonna lead back to 10 points, but the Crusaders held the lead going into halftime 49-33.

• Second Half

  • Mark DeVries opened up the scoring for both sides in the second half with a free layup to cut the deficit 49-35.

  • The layup by Andy Mora forced the Crusaders into their first timeout of the half as Madonna failed to score in the second period. The Crusaders still held the lead 49-37.

  • The steal by Andy Mora set Mark DeVries up for a fast break layup to bring Cornerstone with eight points of Madonna 49-41.

  • Kayden Bird grabbed the steal and then hit two layups in-a-row for Cornerstone to bring them within two points of the Crusaders.

  • Blake Stewart drove into the paint and made his next layup, as he tied the game 51-51. The Crusaders followed the play up with a timeout.

  • The Crusaders got back to their lead off of a clutch three pointer. Cornerstone continued to trail 59-55.

  • Blake Stewart tied it up again for Cornerstone 61-61 with about seven and a half minutes to play in regulation.

  • The game remained close with under five minutes to go. Madonna remained on top 71-65 heading into the final media timeout.

  • Levi Schultz made a crucial block on a dunk attempt by the Crusaders to keep Cornerstone in it. The Golden Eagles remained behind 73-69.

  • The Golden Eagles got within one point with under two minutes to go before the Crusaders got their lead back 81-77 with 19 seconds to play.

  • The Crusaders would complete the away win 84-79 over the Golden Eagles

By the Numbers 

20/58.3% – Kayden Bird went 7-12 from the field to total 20 points in the battle against the Crusaders.

17/9 – Blake Stewart put up 9 rebounds, just short of a double-double with 17 total points. 

14/9 - Mark DeVries also grabbed 9 rebounds with 14 total points against Madonna.

What's Next? 

The Golden Eagles will host Lawrence Tech for Alumni Day and Poster Night this upcoming Saturday, January 31 at 3 P.M. inside of the Mol Arena.

Men's Basketball Contact: Mason Young

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