GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Behind a game high 17 points and career best nine rebounds from Mackenzie Stien, the Golden Eagles were able to edge Madonna for their 10^th win of the season. CU and MU sat tied at 29 at the half before Cornerstone won the third quarter 20-13. Cornerstone would not give up the lead the remainder of the game as they are now 10-9, 9-3 WHAC on the year. The road trip continues as CU heads to Lourdes on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest. 
 
Game Highlights:
 
First Quarter:

• Both offenses got off to a slow start as each team scored two points through the first three minutes of play. 
• Jaxi Long hit the Golden Eagles first three four minutes into the first quarter, but Madonna immediately responded with a three from Marcela Rodriguez to tie the game at seven. 
• After trailing 9-7, Cornerstone ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run highlighted by an Olivia Kubik three to take a 13-9 advantage into the second quarter.

Second Quarter:

• Madonna responded with a 7-0 run to regain a 16-13 lead at the start of the second quarter. Marcella Rodriguez continued to find the bucket scoring her 11^th point in just nine minutes of play. 
• The free throw line became a factor in the second quarter, as Mackenzie Stien scored four points on a pair of free throws and a jumper to give Cornerstone the lead back yet again in the back-and-forth contest. 
• The lead changes continued throughout the first half with seven total in the first 20 minutes. Mackenzie Stien continued her strong performance hitting a late bucket for her 10^th point in the final minute to tie the game at 29 going into the break. 

Third Quarter:

• The second half scoring opened with a wild three ball from Maddison Fulks that fell through after hitting every part of the rim and the top of the backboard. 
• Center Stephanie Ainsworth scored her first point of the game just over a minute into the third quarter to give CU a 33-31 lead. 
• Cornerstone created some turnovers throughout the middle of the third quarter leading to some easy buckets from Stephanie Ainsworth and Mackenzie Stien. 
• The two sides would not be able to find a field goal for the next 4+ minutes as Cornerstone would score four straight points at the free throw line on six attempts to increase their lead to its largest, 43-35. 
• Maddison Fulks scored the Golden Eagles first field goal since the 6:33 mark with a three in the final 10 seconds of the period. Cornerstone led 49-42 with one quarter to play. 

Fourth Quarter:

• The offenses for both sides got hot to begin the fourth quarter. Stephanie Ainsworth found her rhythm scoring the first four of the period for the Golden Eagles. 
• Kaycee Sluiter added a layup at the 7:41 to play mark, increasing the CU lead back to its largest of eight at 55-47. 
• Madonna refused to quit, cutting the deficit back to four with a three from Delani Robinson with just 4:43 to play. 
• After a Golden Eagle timeout, Madonna's Sophie Ruggles would get two free throws on three attempts due to a lane violation that cut the CU lead to one possession, 57-55. 
• Stephanie Ainsworth put the hammer down in the final four minutes scoring four straight points to help CU get back to a seven-point advantage. 
• Cornerstone would hold on to earn the 70-61 road victory. 

 
By the numbers:
0/13 – Stephanie Ainsworth was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes but scored 13 points in the second 20 minutes. 
9 – Mackenzie Stien was one rebound away from her first double-double, recording a career best nine rebounds. 
4 – The Golden Eagle balance continued today with four players scoring in double-figures at Madonna. 

What's next? 
Cornerstone next travels to Sylvania, Ohio for a matchup with Lourdes starting at 1 p.m.   
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Jesse Campbell
CU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Women's Basketball: Facebook | Twitter