Grand Rapids, Mich. – Men's Basketball faced off in their annual Pack the House event this evening with a matchup against Rochester Christian. The Golden Eagles opened their conference play with an 85-81 victory thanks to a stellar performance from Blake Stewart. In his first career start he was able to tally 26 points and seven rebounds that ultimately led Cornerstone to the win. The Golden Eagles saw Tanner Wiegerink put up a strong 14-point performance also with three highlight worthy blocks against the Warriors. Men's Basketballs will see its next test as the WHAC conference play continues against Madonna on Saturday, November 23 at 3 p.m. 
 
Game Highlights – #RV Cornerstone – 85 #RV Rochester Christian – 81
 
First Half

• The game started off slow for both teams as the first bucket came nearly two minutes into the contest with an easy two for Rochester Christian. 
• Blake Stewart found his own four-point run off two strong buckets at the rim for the Golden Eagles to take the 4-2 lead with 17 minutes left in the first half. 
• Toby Woolcock dropped a dime to find Tanner Wiegerink for a three pointer to give Cornerstone the 11-5 lead only a minute later. 
• Luke Rowlinson scored a smooth jumper for the Golden Eagles that brought the game to 13-5 with 14 minutes left to play. 
• Luke Rowlinson continued to show out in this matchup with another two quick buckets for the Golden Eagles which gave him a quick six points and a Cornerstone 18-10 lead with 12 minutes left on the clock. 
• Brett White tallied his 10^th point of the game off another three pointer for the Warriors as he was their only offensive threat through the first nine minutes of the contest with the score at 18-15 in favor of the home team. 
• Jack Joldersma strong boxout at the rim gave him an easy rebound which he turned into a pure jumper and added to the Cornerstone lead with 10 minutes left in the half. 
• Blake Stewart extended the lead to seven for the home team with another bucket at the rim as Cornerstone continued to ride his hot hand in the first half. 
• Tanner Wiegerink showed up for the block party with a massive swat at the net which he followed up with bucket and the foul at the other end which gave Cornerstone the 24-15 lead with eight minutes on the clock. 
• Brett White continued to lead for the Warriors as he went on a solo eight point run to bring the game within one possession at 23-26 with seven minutes left in the half. 
• Back and forth buckets at both ends resulted in multiple lead changes with Blake Stewart and Mason Brooks scoring in the span. 
• Toby Woolcock strong drive to the bucket forced a foul from Rochester Christian which he converted into two made free throws to close out the points in the first half. 
• The Golden Eagles went to the locker room with a 38-34 halftime lead thanks to a stellar 13-point first half performance from Blake Stewart. 

Second Half

• Rochester Christian started the second half off hot with back-to-back threes for the Warriors which gave them their first lead since the 16-minute mark in first half. 
• Mason Brooks and Tanner Wiegerink buckets gave Cornerstone back the lead at 44-43 with 16 minutes left in the second half. 
• Tanner Wiegerink finished a strong bully ball bucket and the foul in the paint to extend the Golden Eagles lead to 47-43 with 15 minutes left to play in the contest. 
• Toby Woolcock linked up again this time with Blake Stewart as he added another bucket for the Golden Eagles and brought the lead up to six points. 
• The Warriors did not break as they tallied a seven-point run to regain the lead in the game with 13 minutes left in the half. 
• The sharpshooter Kayden Bird went back-to-back corner threes for the Golden Eagles to flip the script and gave Cornerstone the 57-52 lead with 11 minutes left to play. 
• Andy Mora added his name to the scorer's sheet with a scrappy bucket at the rim which allowed Cornerstone to maintain control of the game with a four-point lead. 
• Rochester Christian battled back once again with a big time three pointer and three-point play at the rim to regain the narrow lead at 61-59 with 10 minutes on the clock.
• Mason Brooks knocked down a much needed three pointer for the home squad as they only trailed by one-point with eight minutes left to play in the game. 
• Toby Woolcock was fouled and finished an acrobatic layup at the rim to take back the lead for Cornerstone with the score at 67-65. 
• Blake Stewart continued to work his magic in the paint with another good field goal for the Golden Eagles which gave them the 69-65 lead with six minutes left to play.
• Luke Rowlinson had a quiet second half but came up big when it mattered most as he sunk a professional distance dagger three pointer which gave Cornerstone a six-point advantage with 46 seconds left on the clock. 
• A crucial error for the Golden Eagles came with 29 seconds left to play as they fouled Rochester Christian on a three pointer that was converted into three points from the free throw line. 
• Mason Brooks, Blake Stewart, and Luke Rowlinson came up clutch as all were able to sink much needed free throws late to secure the 85-81 victory. 

By the Numbers 
26 – Blake Stewart recorded a career high 26 points in his first ever start for the Golden Eagles. 
42 – Cornerstone scored 42 points in the paint compared to the Warriors 24. 
47.8% – The Golden Eagles shot 47.8% from the field as they found their first conference victory of the season. 
 
What's Next? 
Cornerstone will look to take their momentum into their next conference matchup this weekend against Madonna on Saturday, November 23 at 3 p.m. 
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
CU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Women's Basketball: Facebook | Twitter