By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score) –No. 3 Cornerstone (Mich.) secured the first spot into Saturday’s quarterfinals with a 97-78 win over No. 14 Concordia (Ore.) in the second round at the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Cornerstone improves to 9-2 in second round games and will play in its first quarterfinal since 2011 when they won the championship. Head coach Kim Elders moved into a tie with Mike Lightfoot (Bethel-Ind.) for second place with 29 career wins at the championship.

"The second round, as is any out here, is so difficult and it feels great to have played well enough to advance,” said Cornerstone head coach Elders.

The Golden Eagles’ broke open a tight game with a 21-7 run to close the first half, limiting Concordia to two field goals over the final six-plus minutes to take a 52-37 advantage into the break. Cornerstone shot 63% over the opening 20 minutes.

Cornerstone extended its lead up to 23 points following consecutive baskets by Michael McLaughlin (69-46) at the 12-minute mark and Concordia never got closer than 12 the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles’ held Concordia to just one three-pointer in the second half, limiting the Cavaliers to just 8% (1-for-13) from beyond the arc.

"Concordia shot the lights out in their opener and to hold them to just over 40% is a credit to our assistant coaches for the game plan and our kids for sticking to it,” said Elder.

Kyle Steigenga registered his second straight double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, going 8-for-10 from the floor, to lead Cornerstone. Ty Mason came off the bench to pour in 22 points and Ben Lanning also registered a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards. The Golden Eagles’ blistered the nets at 60% and were 50% from beyond the arc.

"Our team did a great job of getting into the paint and I benefited from some great kick outs and was able to hit some shots,” commented senior guard Ty Mason. “It always feels good to help your team move on to the next round.”

Concordia was led by senior guard Tyler Velasquez with a game-high 29 points and Esvan Middleton put in 19. The Cavaliers end the season with a 25-7 record.

Cornerstone, now 30-5 on the year, will play the winner of No. 6 Morningside (Iowa) and No. 11 Saint Francis (Ind.) in the first quarterfinal game on Saturday, beginning at 1pm.