Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Golden Eagles hosted the Wolverines of Michigan-Dearborn for an important WHAC matchup with post season aspirations in sight. The contest was a back-and-forth saga until the second half when the Golden Eagles managed to get a strong say in the game thanks to stellar shooting from Kayden Bird on his way to a 35-point career high performance. Cornerstone walked away with a much needed 105-91 victory. 
 
Game Highlights – Cornerstone – 105 Michigan-Dearborn – 91

First Half

• The game started off quick with a Wolverines bucket, but Blake Stewart responded right away with a bucket of his own to keep it level in the first minute of the contest. 
• Michigan-Dearborn came to play as they added seven straight points to jump out to a 9-2 lead only two minutes into the game. 
• Kayden Bird added a pair of much needed three-point buckets to keep Cornerstone close and swing the momentum as they trailed 14-10 with 15 minutes left on the clock. 
• The visitors' shots continued to fall early as they gained another strong lead at 18-12 at the first media timeout of the night. 
• Levi Schultz and Tre Seydel found back-to-back buckets to cut the Wolverines lead to just two points nearing the halfway point of the first half. 
• The sharpshooter Kayden Bird found another deep shot go his way to make the game 26-24 at the nine-minute mark keeping the Golden Eagles close. 
• Colin Heyboer knocked down a three pointer to finally get Cornerstone back to level terms all tied at 28 with six minutes left to play. 
• Mark DeVries made the next big play for the Golden Eagles off a strong bucket and the foul to give Cornerstone a three-point lead in the game. 
• The Golden Eagles ended the half in dramatic fashion as Kayden Bird secured a steal and bucket off a sneaky inbound and followed it up with a half court bomb to snatch a 42-39 lead at the half. 

Second Half

• The second half began with fireworks from both sides as the first five shots found the bottom of the net as Kayden Bird tallied his 19^th point of the game. 
• Levi Schultz added another bucket for the Golden Eagles which gave them the 49-48 lead with 18 minutes left to play. 
• Andy Mora found Blake Stewart on a perfect fast break outlet to give Cornerstone another lead at 51-50 with the momentum shifting back and forth in the game. 
• The scoring start to the second half continued which gave Cornerstone a 55-50 lead as they began to get a foothold in the contest. 
• Déjà vu from the first half occurred for Mark DeVries as he found his second three point play the tough way earn Cornerstone a six-point advantage. 
• The Wolverines did their best to make Cornerstone earn the win as they fought back to a 62-58 deficit with 12 minutes left in the half. 
• Colin Heyboer went on a solo five point run to extend the Cornerstone lead to 71-62 with CU in full control. 
• Kayden Bird could simply not stop scoring as he continued to push the Golden Eagles forward with 26 points in the game and earning a 76-64 lead. 
• Tempers flared for the Wolverines later in the second half that led to a technical foul at the seven-minute mark. 
• Kayden Bird found another deep three pointer to continue his hot shooting which led into another technical foul against Michigan-Dearborn which he converted into an 85-70 lead late in the game. 
• Mol Arena was on their feet with a Mark DeVries breakaway dunk putting Cornerstone in the driver seat as the last media timeout of the game was called with five minutes to go. 
• The Golden Eagles managed the game well down the stretch knocking down the necessary free throws to earn another victory over Michigan-Dearborn. 

By the Numbers 
35 – Kayden Bird posted a career high 35 points knocking down seven three pointers on the night. 
14/6 – Both Blake Stewart and Levi Schultz posted 14 points and six rebounds each in the win. 
13/9 – Andy Mora also facilitated the game well with 13 points and nine assists. 

What's Next? 
The Golden Eagles next test comes on the road against UNOH on Saturday, February 14^th for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Mason Young
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