GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Men's Basketball and Indiana Tech were the final two unbeaten teams in the WHAC, and one had to fall, unfortunately the Golden Eagles were the victims in a 72-66 defeat. It was hard-nosed defensive battle between both teams as scoring was hard to come by. Both teams shot low 40% from the field with 29 total turnovers recorded. The biggest factor in the game was the rebounding of Indiana Tech as they outrebounded Cornerstone 46-32 for the game. Blake Stewart was the bright spot for the Golden Eagles with a game high 23 points. Cornerstone falls to 6-4 (4-1) on the year as they will face off against Cleary on Saturday, December 14 for the next conference game.
 
Game Recap – Indiana Tech – 72 #RV Cornerstone - 66
 
First Half: Indiana Tech – 33 Cornerstone - 31

• The defense of Cornerstone and Indiana Tech both held strong to open the game as it remained scoreless through the first two-minutes.
• Through the first five-minutes of the game, Indiana Tech leads Cornerstone 2-1 in an early defensive battle.
• Indiana Tech has found some offensive momentum as back-to-back jumpers made it 6-1 before Mason Brooks made the first Golden Eagle field goal with a three, eight minutes into the game.
• The defense of both teams continued to hold strong through 10-minutes of the game as a layup from Indiana Tech's Brady Titus made it 13-8 Warriors.
• Indiana Tech started to pull away as a three made it 18-9 but a Blake Stewart pullup jumper stopped the Warrior run.
• A quick Golden Eagle 7-2 run cut into Indiana Tech's lead thanks to a layup from Toby Woolcock, free throws from Connor Dykema and a three from Blake Stewart to make it 25-20.
• Blake Stewart continued to be a spark for the Golden Eagles as a self 5-0 run made it a 27-25 Indiana Tech lead. Luke Rowlinson would follow with an offensive rebound and layup to tie the game at 27 with 3:30 to go in the half.
• Cornerstone and Indiana Tech traded late baskets but the Warriors lead 33-31 at the half. After a slow start for both teams, the Warriors shot 45.2% while the Golden Eagles shot 42.9% from the field.

 
Second Half:

• Mason Brooks opened the half with a three to give Cornerstone their first lead of the game, but Indiana Tech followed with a three of their own to retake the lead.
• The second half didn't start like the first as both teams scored easy baskets to open the half as the game is tied at 38 after a Blake Stewart floater through the first three-minutes.
• A quick 4-0 Indiana Tech run sees them retake the lead 42-38 as the first media timeout halts play.
• Out of the timeout, the Golden Eagles used a 5-0 run to take a 45-44 lead highlighted by an Andy Mora three.
• Indiana Tech has slowed the offense of the Golden Eagles as they have gone on a 7-0 run to take a 51-45 lead over Cornerstone with just under eight to go.
• It continued to be a game of runs in the second half as a 7-2 run highlighted by a Blake Stewart three made it 55-54 Indiana Tech with six to go.
• A big play in this one as Indiana Tech drains a three low in the shot clock to make it 60-56 with 2:27 left.
• Indiana Tech continued to find clutch baskets down the stretch as a dunk and putback layup sees the Golden Eagles in a 64-58 hole with under one minute to go.
• It continued to be a foul fest down the stretch with both teams awarded techs as the Golden Eagles continued to trail 68-64 with 15 seconds left.
• Indiana Tech steals a conference game over the Golden Eagles with a 72-66 victory.

 
By the Numbers
23 – Blake Stewart scored a game high 23 points
14 – Indiana Tech outrebounded the Golden Eagles by 14, 46-32
14 – Crew Gibson of Indiana Tech recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds
9 – The Golden Eagles recorded nine steals
 
What's Next?
Men's Basketball will remain at home as they take on Cleary on Saturday, December 14 with tipoff starting at 3 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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