GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 1 ranked Golden Eagles were unable to overcome their first halftime deficit of the season on Wednesday night as they were upset by cross-town rival Aquinas, 87-77. The loss ends a 10-game winning streak for CU as they fall to 26-3 on the season and 19-2 in league action. CU will close out the regular season on Saturday when they host Northwestern Ohio on senior day at 3 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The host Saints, fighting for the fourth seed and a home playoff game in the upcoming WHAC Tournament, opened the game with an 11-4 run but the Golden Eagles responded with their own run of 8-0 finished off by a Cory Cox triple to give them their first lead. AQ then started to get hot, especially from behind the arc, as they would go on to knock down six 3-pointers in the first half to build a 47-41 lead at the break.

Trailing for the first time at halftime all season. CU allowed an early bucket to fall behind by eight (49-41) but then went on an 8-0 run to tie the game on a pair of Sam Vander Sluis free throws. That momentum was short-lived as the Saints responded with a 13-0 run that eventually proved doom for the Golden Eagles. The closest CU would get for the remainder of the game was four (72-64) as the Saints hit numerous tough shots down the stretch and iced the game form the line.
 
Say What?
"We got beat in every facet of the game tonight. Defensively we were not crisp and got out-worked especially on the glass" – Head Coach Kim Elders
 
By the Numbers
46-36 – CU was out-rebounded for the second time this season, and first in a loss
4 – Different Golden Eagles to finish in double-figures – Kyle Steigenga (20), Jake Brubaker and Cox (17), Sluis (13)
17 – Career-high points for Brubaker – the freshman hit five triples
33/20 – Sluis and Steigenga both finished with double-doubles and combined for 33 points and 20 rebounds
12/34 – CU lost despite shooting 35.3% from behind the arc (made 12 compared to AQ's 10)
 
Up Next
Cornerstone will close out the regular season on Saturday at home against Northwestern Ohio. Tip is set for 3 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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