GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – For the first time since 2016, the Golden Eagles took down #9 Indiana Wesleyan 99-91 in front of the CU faithful at Mol Arena. The upset of IWU was orchestrated by fifth-year senior Christian Rodriguez, who recorded a double-double and led all scorers with 32 points and 10 rebounds. He also tacked on 7 assists. Drew Knickerbocker also made his presence felt adding 19 points. At the half, CU led 42-39 and, despite a few second half lead changes, pulled off the upset by methodically running their offense and matching IWU's defensive intensity. Seth Maxwell paced #9 Indiana Wesleyan with 26 points.

What you need to know!

• Neither team got off to a fast start in this one, but Jack Joldersma did get the scoring started with a layup a minute into the game.
• CU took their first lead of the game when Christian Rodriguez found Jonny Strube for a three to give the Golden Eagles a 9-8 advantage.
• There was a lot of back-and-forth scoring in this game, but none scored more than Christian Rodriguez who hit a big three to give CU a 24-20 lead.
• The Golden Eagles tied their largest lead of the first half when Jack Joldersma nailed a three to put CU up nine, 37-28, with 3:05 to go.
• From there, IWU went on an 11-5 run to end the half, as Cornerstone only took a three-point lead into the locker room, 42-39.
• IWU came out of the gates hot in the second half, scoring the first seven points to take 46-42 lead.
• Jack Joldersma ended that run when he scored a layup for CU, cutting the IWU lead to two.
• Drew Knickerbocker followed up with a three 15 seconds later, which allowed CU to recapture the lead, 47-46, with 17:55 to go in the second half.
• IWU played some solid basketball over the next six-plus minutes, eventually holding a six-point lead, 67-61, with 11:09 remaining.
• That's when the tides turned for CU, as Luke Rowlinson hit a three, Christian Rodriguez made a layup, IWU nailed a three, Carter Nyp drained a three, and Christian Rodriguez hit another layup to take 71-70 lead with 8:33 remaining in the second half.
• Cornerstone never looked back, holding the lead the rest of the game behind the savvy play of Christian Rodriguez, Carter Nyp, and Drew Knickerbocker as they slowly pulled away, upsetting #9 IWU 99-91.

By the Numbers 
24/10 – 24 bench points for CU, compared to 10 for IWU
15 – 3-pointers made by the Golden Eagles, hitting 9 more than IWU 
50/37 – IWU outrebounded CU 50-37 in this contest 

 
What's Next?
Cornerstone is back in action on Monday, November 1 in Mol Arena as they host Bethel University at 7:30 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
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