CALDWELL, Ida. – It was the first national tournament game for every basketball player today as they came away with a 72-66 grinded out victory over Carroll. Cornerstone got off to a slow start in the first half, seeing themselves down 21-11 at one point, but a 21-2 run that saw Cornerstone take a 32-23 advantage kick started the Golden Eagles into holding onto the lead.
Cory Ainsworth was dominant down low, scoring a game high 26 points and the final key points down the stretch to give Cornerstone the victory. The Golden Eagles will now play host team and number one team in their pod, The College of Idaho tomorrow night at 7 p.m./9 p.m. EST for a chance to make it to the final site in Kansas City.
Game Highlights – Cornerstone – 72 – Carroll - 66
- First Half
- Carroll jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first two and half minutes thanks to three straight three pointers to get the game underway.
- Cory Ainsworth went to work down low, and Luke Rowlinson drilled a three to make it a 15-9 game.
- Carroll makes another layup to give them their largest lead of the game 21-11 with 13-minutes to go in the first half.
- A three from Kayden Bird ignited a 9-0 run for the Golden Eagles to make it a 21-20 game with just under nine to go.
- A Connor Dykema slam and a three gave Cornerstone their first lead of the game 25-23 with 7:30 to go in the first half.
- Jack Joldersma and Cory Ainsworth went to work down low to extend the Golden Eagles lead 32-23 to cap off a 21-2 run.
- Luke Rowlinson hits the pullup jumper to give Cornerstone a 39-28 lead with three minutes to go before halftime.
- It was not a good end to the half for the Golden Eagles as after a charge on the offensive end, Carroll would make a pair of free throws and a half court buzzer beater to end the half on a 5-0 run to make it 41-36.
- Second Half
- It was a slow start for both teams in the second half as a Cory Ainsworth layup makes it a 45-40 game with 15 minutes to go.
- Carroll ties the game at 45, but Kayden Bird would respond with a corner three to make it 48-45.
- Carroll and Cornerstone continues to go back-and-forth as a Saints three makes it 58-56 before Toby Woolcock gives them a five-point, 61-56 lead after a wing three. 8:30 to go in the game.
- With five-minutes to go in the game, Cornerstone is holding onto a 64-60 lead.
- The defense of both teams has stepped it up as a jumper from Carroll knots the game at 66, 1:55 to go.
- Cory Ainsworth proved to be the difference maker as back-to-back layups from Ainsworth makes it a 70-66 game.
- Luke Rowlinson and Toby Woolcock both hit a free throw to ice the game away as Cornerstone moves to the round of 32 with a 72-66 win over Carroll.
By the Numbers
26 –
Cory Ainsworth led the way with a game high 26 points
54.5 – The Golden Eagles shot 54.5% from the field while Carroll shot 38.8%
13 – Cornerstone had 13 assists for the game while just seven turnovers
What's Next?
Cornerstone will face off against host team the College of Idaho for a chance a spot in the final site. Tip off starts at 9 p.m. EST.
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