MARION, Ind. – The Golden Eagles responded with a huge win to close out the WHAC/CL Crossover, taking down the No. 1 team in the country and defending NAIA DII National Champion Spring Arbor 84-79 in overtime. Junior point guard
Christian Rodriguez did it all for CU, hitting the game tying bucket with four seconds remaining and scoring 10 of the 12 overtime points to help Cornerstone to victory. CU is now 1-1 on the year as they come home for the Cornerstone Classic next weekend where they will host two more tough opponents in Grace Christian and No. 4 Morningside (Iowa).
What you need to know?
- Unlike yesterday, the Golden Eagles got off to a quick start against the top ranked team in the land as Kyle Hayes hit an early three to make it 7-2.
- Spring Arbor responded to tie it at 12 after the first media timeout, but Cornerstone then went on an 8-0 run that was capped off by a Cory Ainsworth and one.
- After the game was tied at 24 with 7:28 remaining, the SAU defense picked up holding Cornerstone to just 10 points to take the 36-34 lead at the half.
- The Cougars scored the first four points of the second half, but CI quickly responded with a 5-0 run on a layup and three pointer from Carter Nyp to cut the deficit to just one.
- Tyler Baker followed Nyp's five consecutive points with a bucket to give Cornerstone their first lead since 5:38 remaining in the first half.
- Both teams traded runs in the middle of the second half as a timeout was called with 7:20 remaining with a 57-57 tie.
- The two teams went on a three-minute stretch where neither team could get up by more than one point. With four minutes remaining, Tyler Baker hit a fade away and Drew Knickerbocker knocked down a pair of free throws to give CU a 65-62 lead and force SAU into a timeout.
- Cornerstone held the lead for the final two minutes of play until a three pointer by the Cougars Luke Barber gave them the lead back 72-70 with just 12 seconds remaining. CU called a timeout after the three.
- Christian Rodriguez then muscled his way coast to coast to tie the game back up at 72 with just four seconds remaining.
- SAU had a chance at the buzzer but the ball rimmed out and the two teams would go to overtime tied at 72.
- Cornerstone got off to a good start in the overtime as Christian Rodriguez hit a pair of three's to give CU a 78-73 lead.
- For every bucket CU scored, SAU had an answer, hitting a three with just 53 seconds remaining to cut the deficit back to just one.
- Junior Christian Rodriguez stayed hot however, hitting four consecutive free throws, followed by a pair of free throws from Carter Nyp to seal the 84-79 win over Spring Arbor.
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By the Numbers
- Christian Rodriguez scored 10 of the Golden Eagles 12 overtime points and had a game high 25 on 9-20 shooting.
- Cornerstone is now 4-4 against the number one team in the country since the 2000-01 season.
- Kyle Hayes was one board short of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
- Freshman Cory Ainsworth provided a huge spark off the bench with 13 points on 6-7 shooting.
- CU shot 55.17% in the second half and held SAU to just 38.71% from the field.
What's Next?
Cornerstone will play their home opener next Friday vs. Grace Christian University as the team hosts the first ever Cornerstone Classic. No. 4 Morningside (Iowa) and Indiana Tech will also be in attendance for the classic.
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Jesse Campbell
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