Strong 2nd Half pushes Cornerstone past CCU at NAIA DII MBB national tournament
Strong 2nd Half pushes Cornerstone past CCU at NAIA DII MBB national tournament
NAIA.org story By Scott Barker, Communications and Sports Information Intern
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score | Bracket) Game 3 of the 2016 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship saw No. 2-seed Cornerstone (Mich.) (27-6) defeat No. 7-seed Cincinnati Christian (23-9), 87-69 on Friday.
Cincinnati Christian got off to a hot start as the Eagles jumped out to an early 13-8 lead. Khari Burton had seven of the first 13 points for the Eagles.
Both teams would trade baskets, as Cincinnati Christian was able to open up an 11-point lead after a 3-point basketball by Burton.
Cornerstone would answer with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to four. The Eagles answered promptly with a 5-0 run to push the lead to back double figures.
With the Golden Eagles down 10, Kyle Steigenga made back-to-back layups followed by a Sam Vander Sluis layup to cut the lead to 32-28.
Cincinnati Christian was held scoreless for 5 minutes and 45 seconds in the first half. Nick Seibert made two free throws with three seconds left in the half to end the scoreless streak. The Eagles would hold a 34-32 lead into the break.
Cincinnati Christian shot 40 percent (14-of-35) from the field and 36 percent (4-of-11) from the 3-point line in the first half. Burton led all scorers with 12 points.
The Golden Eagles went 14-of-30 (46 percent) from the field and 1-of-12 (.08 percent) from beyond the arc.
The second half saw both teams battling back and forth. The Golden Eagles were leading 50-48 when they went on a 10-2 run over a three-minute span.
Cornerstone was able to push its lead to 20 after a Michael McLaughlin free throw.
Kyle Steigenga led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Steigenga was joined in double figures by teammates Sam Vander Sluis (15 points), Michael McLaughlin (11 points) and Ben Lanning (10 points).
The Golden Eagles shot 58 percent (32-of-62) from the field and 3-of-17 from the 3-point arc for the game.
Cincinnati Christian was led in scoring by Kenny Gaynor with 17 points. Khari Burton and DJ McCommons added 14 points apiece and Jarrell Moses scored 13 points.
Cornerstone head coach Kim Elders now has 33 career wins at the Division II Men's Basketball National Championship, which ties him with Danny Miles of Oregon Tech for the most all-time. Mike Lightfoot of Bethel (Ind.) is third with 29.
Cornerstone advances to the second round and will play No. 3-seeded Keiser (Fla.) at 8:30 a.m. o