By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score) – Cornerstone’s balance proved to be too much as the third-ranked Golden Eagles’ defeated No. 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 91-81 in the second semifinal game at the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship. This year’s event is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium.

The Golden Eagles’ advance to play in their third national championship game, winning the title in 1999 and 2011.

Six Cornerstone players scored in double figures, led by Cory Cox with 19 points, followed by both Kyle Steigenga and Travis Wells with 14 points each.

"Our depth has been so good all year and this tournament is showing that,” said sophomore and team’s leading scorer Cory Cox. “We have had four different leading scorers in four games and tonight I felt good shooting the ball. I am excited to be able to be a part of a great team."

Cornerstone held a 41-37 advantage after a highly competitive first half that featured both highly-seeded teams battling for supremacy. After the Golden Eagles scored the first four points of the game, Embry-Riddle went on a 7-0 run for its largest lead of the half. Later, down two (17-15), Cornerstone went on its best run of the opening half, outscoring the Eagles 11-2 behind a pair of three-pointers by Travis Wells and one by Ben Lanning. In total, the first half featured five ties and six lead changes.

Embry-Riddle made the first push in the second half, outscoring Cornerstone 15-6, aided by a 7-0 run, to open up its largest lead of the game, 52-47, after a basket by DeForest Carter. Following a time-out and the game perhaps in balance, Cornerstone responded with a definitive 13-0 run that put the Golden Eagles’ up for good, 60-52. Michael McLaughlin got things started with five straight points, followed by a jumper and three-pointer by Cox and capped by a three-pointer from Joey Blauwkamp.

Embry-Riddle kept the game within striking distance, using an effective post game behind Cesar Pastrana, who scored 20 of his game high 22 points in the second half. Cornerstone, however, did not let the Eagles get any closer than five, coming up with big plays on both sides of the ball to earn the win.

Cornerstone shot 52% for the game and an even better 56% (14-for-25) from beyond the arc. McLaughlin netted 12 points and Lanning and Ty Mason both poured in 10. The Golden Eagles’ held a slim edge on the boards, 29-24, led by Lanning with nine.

"I am so proud of the guys for gutting out a win against an incredible team,” commented head coach Kim Elders. “ERAU was so physical and was hitting on all cylinders. For them to shoot 55% from the floor and us win, says alot about the character of this team."

Pastrana led Embry-Riddle with 22 points, followed closely by Dalton Barnes, who scored 20, but was held to just two over the final 13-plus minutes. Carter added 13 in his final game as an Eagle. They finish the year setting the record for wins in a season, ending at 35-2.

Cornerstone, now 32-5 on the year, has won 15 straight games and earns a spot into Tuesday’s championship game against No. 5 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), beginning at 6:02pm. The championship game will be aired on ESPN3.