#1 Cornerstone wins tough game over #2 IU East at NAIA DII MBB tourney

3/12/2017 12:00:00 AM

By IU East Sports Information Box Score

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - The Indiana University East men's basketball season ended one step short of a return trip to the "Fab Four." IU East dropped a 97-87 decision against Cornerstone University on March 11 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship at the College of the Ozarks' Keeter Gym.

The Red Wolves, the No. 2 seed in the "Liston Bracket" and a semifinalist at last season's national tournament, finish 28-8. The Golden Eagles, the No. 1 seed in the "Liston Bracket" and the No. 2 team in the national rankings, improve to 33-3.

KEY MOMENTS

* The first 38 minutes featured eight ties and 11 lead changes. IU East led by as much as eight in the first half. The Red Wolves erased a six-point Cornerstone advantage early in the second half.

* Down 83-79 with 1:14 to go, IU East missed on a highly contested shot attempt. IU East was assessed two technical fouls in the immediate aftermath. Cornerstone made all four of the resulting free throws to go ahead by eight points.

* IU East would rally within four in the last 50 seconds, but no closer.

SIGNIFICANT STATS

* Cornerstone shot 44 free throws - the most for any IU East opponent this season - and made 36. The Red Wolves shot 20 free throws and made 12.

* Five Red Wolves finished the game with four fouls.

* Cornerstone finished with a 50-29 rebounding advantage.

* IU East stayed in the game by making 11 of 25 3-pointers. Cornerstone was 3-for-20 from long range.

* Jordan Furlow led IU East in points (22), rebounds (five) and assists (seven).

* Kendall Rollins and Jaylen McKay both scored 12 points off of the bench for the Red Wolves.

* IU East is now 5-2 at the national tournament over the past two seasons.

* Kyle Steigenga and Sam Vander Sluis finished with double-doubles for Cornerstone. Steigenga had 27 points and 14 rebounds. Vander Sluis put up 26 points and 18 rebounds.

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

"It was a tough game. Cornerstone was a really good team. In the end, we just didn't get it done, but I'm proud of how we battled and had a great season. I'm very proud to be a Red Wolf." - IU East's lone senior, Kyle Pipenger