LIVONIA, Mich. – The No. 24 Golden Eagles struggled on the road, dropping their second straight game after shooting a season low 29.8% from the field. CU fell 72-59 at a tough receiving votes Madonna squad to drop to 9-6, 4-3 WHAC on the year. CU will now have over two weeks off for Christmas before taking on Grace Christian University for the second time this year on December 28 at 1 p.m. 

What you need to know? 

• Cornerstone struggled to get going offensively as the Crusaders held them scoreless through the first eight plus minutes of the game to take a 14-0 lead. 
• Once CU got on the board, they scored a quick five points on a Tyler Baker three and a Gabe Meriwether dunk to cut the deficit to 14-5. 
• Tyler Baker was dominant in the first half, scoring 10 of the first 12 Golden Eagle points to quickly help CU get back in at as they trailed by three with seven minutes to play in the period. 
• Both teams continued to struggle to find the bucket in the remainder of the first half as CU shot just 26.7% from the field, while Madonna shot 39.1%. The two teams also combined for 14 first half turnovers as Madonna led 27-23 at the break. 
• Similar to the first half, Cornerstone took a while out of the break to hit a field goal as Kyle Hayes hit a jumper four minutes in to cut the deficit to 32-26. 
• Drew Knickerbocker recorded a big offensive board and put back to once again cut the deficit to just four points with 12 and a half minutes to play. 
• Fouls hurt the Golden Eagles in the second half as four CU players had three or more fouls early in the period, including four on Carter Nyp. 
• Henry Speight hit a three with just over nine minutes to play to give the Crusaders their largest lead of the second half at 48-38. 
• Cornerstone saw a 6-0 run that was highlighted by a Gabe Meriwether layup to cut the deficit back to four at 50-46. 
• Madonna had a response for every CU run, as they maintained a 59-52 lead with 3:30 to play. 
• Christian Rodriguez drained a deep three to cut it to eight and Cornerstone immediately called timeout with 2:50 to play. 
• The Crusaders sealed the win at the free throw line in the final minute of play, downing CU 72-59 in Livonia. 

 
By the Numbers 

• Cornerstone did not hold a lead in the game, cutting the deficit to two multiple times. 
• Christian Rodriguez and Tyler Baker both had 15 points to lead the Golden Eagles. 
• A total of 63 free throws were taken during the game, as CU went 19-28 and MU went 22-35. 
• The WHAC's leading scorer in Dwight Burton had a game high 23 points. 
• Gabe Meriwether recorded 11 rebounds, while Kyle Hayes had 10 on the game. 

 
What's Next? 
Cornerstone will have two weeks off for Christmas before returning to non-conference action at Grace Christian on December 28 at 1 p.m. CU hosted the Tigers earlier this season and defeated them 91-67. 
 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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