POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Cornerstone trailed by one points at halftime and was not able to overcome a late 12-point deficit as they fell 72-69 to No. 1 ranked Union College (Ky.) in the 2017 NAIA DII National Championship game. The loss concludes the 2016-17 season with an overall record of 34-4.
 
Game Flow
The opening 10 minutes of the game saw the Cornerstone defense control the play as they held the high-scoring Bulldogs to just 17 points in the first 10:35 of play. A Kyle Steigenga 3-pointer just before a media timeout put CU up 21-17 but UC came out of the timeout and went on an 11-2 run to take a 28-23 lead. CU responded with a 7-0 spurt finished off by a Michael McLaughlin steal and layup to go up 30-28 and the Golden Eagles eventually upped it to 35-32 after a Cory Cox back-door layup. The Bulldogs however closed the half on a 4-0 run to take a 36-35 lead at the break.

The two teams then traded the lead on the first six possessions of the second half but after a 45-45 tie on a McLaughlin jumper with 14:36, Union exploded for eight straight points and it was a lead they would never let up. Union eventually led by as many as 12 but the closest CU got down the stretch was three after a Cory Cox triple with 2:31 to play.
 
Say What?
"It was a tough end to a great season. Union was so tough defensively and took us out of some things we do well and also created pressure that transitioned into turnovers and points." Head Coach Kim Elders
 
By the Numbers
14 – Sam Vander Sluis 14 rebounds and his 69 total rebounds are the second most in a single tournament
30 – Kyle Steigenga led the Golden Eagles with 30 points (10/17 FG)
16/4/4 – Michael McLaughlin concluded his career with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals
43-36 – CU out-rebounded the Bulldogs by seven
3 – Players for CU on the All-Tourney Team – Steigenga, Cox and Vander Sluis
1 – Coach Elders was named the NABC National Coach of the Year (3^rd of his career – 1999 and 2015)
 
Up Next
Cornerstone concludes their season with an overall record of 34-4, tied for the second most wins in program history.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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