GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Men's Basketball has earned the right to play in the NAIA National Tournament for the second straight year thanks to winning their second straight WHAC Tournament Championship. The Golden Eagles were placed in the Duer Bracket and sent to host school Freed-Hardeman for the First & Second Rounds of the Tournament. Freed-Hardeman is the reigning NAIA National Champions from last season and are the one seed in the Duer Bracket. Men's Basketball plays familiar opponent Spring Arbor in the first round on March 14 at 2 p.m. EST.
 
Opponent: Spring Arbor
Location: Henderson, Tenn. (Brewer Sports Center)
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
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WHAC Championship Recap
Men's Basketball traveled to Indiana Tech in a hostile environment for the WHAC Tournament Championship. It was a typical Cornerstone versus Indiana Tech game early with the defense of each team stepping up when needed. A quick Golden Eagles 6-0 run saw them take a 29-23 lead with four-minutes left in the first half. They would not score the final four minutes as Indiana Tech would go on a 14-0 run to close the first half to take a 37-29 lead into halftime.
 
The Golden Eagles chipped away slowly but surely in the second half, eventually taking a one-point lead after free throws from Eli Steffen with five-minutes to go. Both teams got stops when needed late in the game as a missed jumper from Indiana Tech at the buzzer saw the game head into overtime.
 
In overtime, Mason Brooks started the action with a four-point play and Luke Rowlinson would follow with a three to give Cornerstone some breathing room, but Indiana Tech wouldn't back down. They stuck around but didn't hit the shots needed down the stretch as Cornerstone would ice the game away at the free throw line to win their second straight WHAC Tournament Championship 79-71.
 
NAIA First & Second Round Outlook
The NAIA National Tournament is set, and the Golden Eagles of Men's Basketball are traveling to the one seed Freed-Hardeman for the first two rounds. The Golden Eagles take on familiar opponent Spring Arbor in the first round on Friday, March 14 at 2 p.m. EST. One seed Freed-Hardeman takes on 16 seed IU Southeast after the conclusion of the 2 p.m. game at 4 p.m. EST. The winners of the first round will play at 3 p.m. EST for a chance to make it to the Sweet 16 and the final site in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
For all First & Second Round information, clink the link HERE.
 
Scouting Spring Arbor
Spring Arbor comes into the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament with an overall record of 19-10, earning an at-large bid into Nationals. The Cougars ended their season on a hot streak, winning four straight, with big victories over #14 Huntington and #10 Bethel. They unfortunately lost in the first round of their conference tournament to Indiana Wesleyan in triple overtime yet still earning that at-large bid. The Golden Eagles and Cougars matched up to open the 2024-25 season on a neutral court at Indiana Wesleyan with Spring Arbor getting the best of Cornerstone 74-64 in a defensive battle. Their center, Gabe Newhof (21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds) earned First Team All-Conference honors with Travis Grayson (15.3 points, 3.6 assists) and Kevyn Robertson (12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds) both earning Second Team All-Conference honors to help Spring Arbor make it this far.
 
Scouting Freed-Hardeman
Freed-Hardeman, the fifth ranked team in the nation, comes into the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament with an overall record of 23-5 and hosting the first two games. Lions won their conference tournament for the third consecutive year, defeating Cumberlands 86-79. Despite winning the Championship, Freed-Hardeman has had a shaky stretch where they have lost three of their last 10 games. Yet, despite the losses, they found a way to win down the stretch. On the year, the Lions are averaging 82.7 points, holding opponents to just 70.2 points on 40% shooting. Lions shoot the ball well, averaging 49.5% shooting per-game, making just six threes per-game at a 33.3% clip from behind the arc. Geraldo Lane (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Peyton Law (16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds) both earned First Team All-Conference honors to help Freed-Hardeman make it this far.
 
Scouting IU Southeast
IU-Southeast comes into the First Round of the National Tournament with an overall record of 13-17, earning a spot in the National Tournament as the Conference Tournament Runner-Up, earning an auto bid. It has been a back-and-forth season for the Grenadiers as they played their best basketball at the right time, upsetting two teams to make it into the Conference Championship, earning themselves an auto bid. On the year, IU-Southeast is averaging 74.5 points on 43.8% shooting while allowing opponents to score 78.3 points on 47.4% shooting. Lane Lauderbaugh (20.7 points, 7.1 rebounds) earned First Team All-Conference honors to help IU-Southeast make it this far.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Jonny Strube
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