GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Rochester never saw a lead in men's basketballs 80-65 victory in their first home game of 2024. Cornerstone looked loose as they dominated the game from start to finish as their defense made Rochester work hard for all their points. Cory Ainsworth and Luke Rowlinson led the way scoring 23 and 21 points as Jack Joldersma added an 18-point, 10 rebound performance. Toby Woolcock held the Warriors best player to zero points as this win moves Cornerstone to 9-6 (5-4) on the season going into a weekend matchup against Aquinas on Saturday, January 13 tipping off at 3 p.m.
 
Game Highlights – Cornerstone – 80 Rochester - 65
 

• First Half
  • Cornerstone opened the game on a 9-0 run that forced Rochester to use one of their timeouts as Luke Rowlinson has scored seven of the points for the Golden Eagles.
  • Cornerstone continued to put the pressure on the Warriors as a layup from Cory Ainsworth made it a 16-4 Cornerstone lead.
  • Jack Joldersma hits the wing three off the pass of Toby Woolcock giving Cornerstone a 22-9 lead through the first 10-minutes of the game.
  • Rochester used a 10-2 run that forced Cornerstone to use one of their timeouts as the Warriors started to break down the defense of the Golden Eagles making it 32-24 game.
  • Cornerstone answered with a 5-0 run out of the timeout to extend their lead back to 13, 37-24 with 2:24 remaining in the first half.
  • Rochester finished the final two-minutes of the half to go on an 11-4 run, cutting Cornerstones lead to 41-35 heading into halftime. Cory Ainsworth leads all scorers with 15 points.

 

• Second Half
  • Cornerstone opened the second half like they did the first, with a 6-0 run that was highlighted by an Eli Steffen fastbreak dunk to get out to a 47-35 lead.
  • Rochester would make a three, but the defense of the Golden Eagles would not allow the Warriors to score for the next five-minutes, causing multiple turnovers going on a 13-0 run to extend their lead 60-38.
  • Cory Ainsworth and Luke Rowlinson continued to score for the Golden Eagles as Rochester struggled to stop the flow of the offense. 66-44 Cornerstone lead with nine-minutes remaining.
  • Jack Joldersma continued to get mismatches in the second half and found easy baskets around the rim. Luke Rowlinson would make another three as the Golden Eagles continue to dominate Rochester, 76-54 with just under five-minutes remaining.
  • Jack Joldersma and Cory Ainsworth would put the finishing touches on the game with baskets around the rim as the Golden Eagles shut down the offense of the Warriors in an 80-65 victory.

 
By the Numbers
23 – Cory Ainsworth led the way with a 23-point, 7 rebound performance.
21- Cornerstone had 21 assists on 34 made baskets in their win
2 – Jack Joldersma recorded his second double-double on the year with a career high 18 points and 10 rebounds
0 – Toby Woolcock and many others, held Rochester's best player to zero points for the game.
 
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone remains at home as they take on rival Aquinas on Saturday, January 13 starting at 3 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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