GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Men's Basketball traveled down the Beltline to take on Aquinas and came away with a 78-72 victory over the Saints. It is always a chippy tight battle between these two schools, and it wasn't any different in this game as it remained a tight contest all night before the Golden Eagles hit key shots down the stretch in the second half. Luke Rowlinson led the way for the Golden Eagles with 18 points as Blake Stewart recorded his second straight double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Men's Basketball improves to 13-7 (9-3) on the year as they will welcome Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday, January 25.
 
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 78 Aquinas - 72
 
First Half: Cornerstone – 38 Aquinas – 32

• Blake Stewart was hot right out of the gate for the Golden Eagles as his three straight jumpers gave Cornerstone an early 8-2 advantage.
• Through the first five minutes, the Golden Eagles hold a 12-6 lead over Aquinas after a Toby Woolcock layup.
• The Golden Eagles continued to hold off any Aquinas pursuit as Blake Stewart would make a layup to make it an 18-14 game.
• Aquinas has found their rhythm on offense as their 9-2 run sees them take a 23-20 lead over the Golden Eagles with 7:48 left in the first half.
• Luke Rowlinson scored five straight for the Golden Eagles to help them retake the lead 29-28 as 4:48 remains in the half.
• It continued to go back-and-forth to end the half but Jack Joldersma but a little magic touch at the end of the half as he made a three quarters court shot as the buzzer sounded to give the Golden Eagles a 38-32 advantage at halftime.

 
Second Half: Cornerstone – 78 Aquinas – 72

• Aquinas opened the second half on a quick 5-2 run to cut into Cornerstones lead 40-37.
• A big 8-0 run highlighted by threes from Mason Brooks and Luke Rowlinson gave the Golden Eagles some breathing room as they lead 48-37 with 16:06 left in the half.
• Andy Mora and Connor Dykema found easy baskets around the rim as the Golden Eagles continued to lead by double-digits, 54-42.
• Aquinas has continued to stick around as a small 6-0 run cut into the Golden Eagles lead 58-52. Mason Brooks would silence the crowd with a three as seven minutes remain with Cornerstone ahead 61-52.
• Mason Brooks and Luke Rowlinson combine for the next eight Golden Eagle points as their baskets helped them extend their lead 69-59 with 3:38 left in the game.
• After a small dust up that lead to a Golden Eagle technical, Aquinas used those free points to cut it to four, 69-65 as 1:52 remains.
• Mason Brooks would help grab the momentum back on Cornerstone's side as he completed the three-point play to make it 72-65.
• The Golden Eagles fend off the Saints as they knock down their free throws at the end of the game to win 78-72.

 
By the Numbers
11/10 – Toby Woolock and Blake Stewart led the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 11 and 10
53.2 – Cornerstone shot 53.2% from the floor, holding Aquinas to 38.8%
4 - The scoring was even for the Golden Eagles with four in double-digits: Luke Rowlinson (18), Blake Stewart (16), Mason Brooks (15), Jack Joldersma (13)
 
What's Next?
Men's Basketball returns to the Mol Arena to take on Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday, January 25 with tipoff starting at 3 p.m.