MARION, Ind.  – The Golden Eagles concluded the WHAC/CL Challenge with a big rebound win, taking down the 2019 NAIA DII National Champions Spring Arbor 82-73. Balance was the key to the game as six Cornerstone players scored in double figures in the win. CU also hit 10 threes in the game to earn their first win of the year and move to 1-1 overall. The team will have a week off before their home opener in the Cornerstone Classic as they take on Saint Xavier on Friday night and receiving votes IU-East on Saturday afternoon. 

What you need to know? 

• Cornerstone got off to a fast start beginning the game on a 13-3 run, highlighted by a pair of threes from Carter Nyp. 
• The defense stifled the Cougars throughout the first half holding them to eight points through the first 10 minutes, getting out to a 24-8 advantage. 
• Spring Arbor responded to cut the deficit to 10 with 4:34 remaining in the first half. 
• The Golden Eagles immediately responded with a 7-0 run that was started from a Gabe Meriwether three that made it 37-20. 
• A late three by Spring Arbor's Daniel Cluster brought the score to 39-25 at the half. 
• The threes continued to fall early in the second half as CU hit three in the first three minutes to improve the advantage to 23 at 54-29.
• Once again Spring Arbor cut the lead back to 15, but threes from Kyle Hayes, Drew Knickerbocker, and Eli Steffen quickly brought the Golden Eagles to their largest of the game at 68-43. 
• Cornerstone was able to maintain a 20 point plus lead until 2:52 remained in the game. 
• The Cougars ended the game on a 14-0 run to make it look closer than it was, but it was too little too late as the Golden Eagles earned their first win of the season 82-73.  

 

MBB | @CornerstoneMBB uses balance to rebound in a big way with a win against Spring Arbor to conclude the @WHACAthletics @Crossroads_NAIA Challenge! @khayes_12 - 13p/8r
Ainsworth - 11p/7r@tylerbaker7 - 11p/4r@GabeMeriwether - 11p/5r@Assist_K1ng - 1op/6a@CarterNyp15 - 10p pic.twitter.com/cmpa2JUEFl

— Cornerstone Golden Eagles (@CUathletics) October 31, 2020

 
By the Numbers 
13/8 – Another player off the bench led the team in points and rebounds as Kyle Hayes scored 13 and brought down eight boards to lead CU. 
10 – Each team hit 10 threes with Cornerstone going 10-23 and Spring Arbor going 10-27. 
6 – Christian Rodriguez recorded six assists for the second consecutive night. 
11 – Tyler Baker's 11 points puts him just five shy of being the 44^th Golden Eagle to crack 1,000 career points. 
699 – 28-year veteran head coach Kim Elders has 699 career wins putting him just one win away from 700. 
 
What's Next? 
The Golden Eagles come home next weekend as they host the Cornerstone Classic on November 6-7 with games vs. Saint Xavier and (RV) IU-East.  
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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