GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Despite a tough shooting night for the Golden Eagles, Cornerstone was able to come out with a 61-52 victory in the season opener and their first game in the WHAC/CL Classic over Spring Arbor. Senior Carter Nyp dominated on both ends of the floor, scoring 20 points and bringing down nine rebounds as CU opens the year 1-0 for the first time since 2018-19. Cornerstone will have a tough task to close out the WHAC/CL Classic tomorrow as they host number nine Indiana Wesleyan at 6 p.m. 

What you need to know? 
-        Carter Nyp scored the first bucked of the 2021-22 season just under two minutes into the game in front of a great crowd. 
-        After the first two points, it took the Golden Eagles a while to get going as points three and four did not come until six minutes into the game. CU went on a 6-0 run to follow though to cut the deficit to two at 10-8. 
-        Carter Nyp later hit a three that tied the game for the first time at 13 all. 
-        The freshman center Connor Dykema hit a layup with 6:37 remaining in the first half that gave the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game 18-16. 
-        The two teams traded runs in the final six minutes of the first half as Cornerstone held a 28-26 edge at the break. Carter Nyp led all scorers with 11 in the first half. 
-        The Cougars started the second half hot, going on a 8-0 run to go back on top 34-28. 
-        Jack Joldersma ended the SAU run with a nice and-one on a back cut. Carter Nyp also got an and-one that tied the game at 34. 
-        Spring Arbor immediately responded with an 8-0 run that was capped off by a three from Eli White that brought them back to their largest lead of the game at eight points, 42-34. 
-        The ebbs and flows of the game continued, as Cornerstone again came back and tied the game at 44 on a Carter Nyp layup. 
-        After a Spring Arbor timeout, Drew Knickerbocker hit a huge three to put the Golden Eagles up 54-50 with 4:08 to play. 
-        Cornerstone clamped down on defense and added some insurance buckets from Jack Joldersma and Carter Nyp to bring the lead to 58-52 with a minute to play. 
-        CU hit enough of their free throws down the stretch to secure a season opening 61-52 victory over Spring Arbor. 
 
By the Numbers 
9 – The lead changed hands nine times in today's game. 
25 – Cornerstone scored 25 bench points led by Jack Joldersma with eight. 
7-14 – Carter Nyp went 7-14 from the field for 20 points and nine rebounds. 

 
What's Next?
Cornerstone is back tomorrow to take on (9) Indiana Wesleyan for the conclusion of the WHAC/CL Classic at 6 p.m. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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