GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –
Christian Rodriguez capped off a career night with a three in the final seconds to help Cornerstone secure another three-point win and a series sweep of rival Aquinas, 91-88 at the Sturrus Center on Saturday afternoon. Rodriguez hit a career high seven threes on 7-10 from deep and 10-13 from the field in the win. Cornerstone is now 17-11, 11-8 WHAC as they will have the week off before playing their final regular season game of the year as they host Concordia next Saturday for senior day.
What you need to know?
- The Golden Eagles got off to a slow start as the first field goal did not come until 2:50 into the game on a Brent Hibbitts jumper that made it 6-3 in favor of Aquinas.
- The Saints were hot from the three-point line early, hitting three in the first five minutes to take a 14-5 advantage.
- Cornerstone came storming back with four consecutive threes to tie the game at 17, highlighted by two from point guard Christian Rodriguez.
- CU later went on an 11-0 run that saw yet another Christian Rodriguez three to take the 30-24 lead.
- Gabe Meriwether hit a jumper and AQ hit a three in the final minute of the first half to make it just a one point 40-39 game in favor of Cornerstone at the break.
- One of the many Christian Rodriguez threes helped CU get out to a six-point lead in the second half, 56-50 with 14:21 to play.
- An and-one three-pointer by Nick Dekkenga gave the Golden Eagles a game high 11-point lead, 65-54 with 10:23 to go.
- Aquinas went to the line a lot in the second half, going on an 8-2 run powered by free throws to cut it back to a four-point game.
- After five consecutive points at the line, Aquinas took their first lead of the second half at 75-74 with 4:03 to go.
- The lead changed hands nine times in the final four minutes of play.
- Cornerstone held an 88-87 lead with 27 seconds to go and Deshawn Lewis went 1-2 at the line to tie the game at 88 with 10 seconds to go.
- Drew Knickerbocker took a three with six seconds to go and missed. Aquinas initially was given the ball after a rebound but the call was overturned due to an inadvertent whistle, giving CU the ball back with 3.5 seconds to go.
- Christian Rodriguez got open on a screen from Carter Nyp and hit the game winning three in the final seconds to earn the 91-88 win at Aquinas.
By the Numbers
- Christian Rodriguez was one point short of his career high with 31 today, and recorded a career high seven threes in the win.
- Cornerstone shot a season high 58.5% as a team and went 31-53 from the field. This is the team's highest percentage since March 7, 2018 vs. Milligan College (Tenn.).
- CU also shot a season high 54.5% from the three-point line in the win.
- The Golden Eagles earned three-point wins in both games vs. the Saints this season.
- Four CU players scored in double figures in the game.
What's Next?
Cornerstone will have a bye on Wednesday before concluding the regular season vs. Concordia for senior day on Saturday, February 22 at 3 p.m.
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Jesse Campbell
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