Cornerstone Claims 2024 Men's Basketball Tournament Title
LIVONIA, Mich. - For the first time since the 2016-17 season, Cornerstone Men's Basketball won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament title on Tuesday evening, downing top-seeded Madonna 88-73. Coincidentally, the 2016-17 season was the last time a #1 seed has won the Men's Basketball Tournament.
Tuesday night's championship game was largely controlled by Cornerstone from whistle to whistle as the Golden Eagles took the lead at the 13:04 mark in the first half and would never trail again. Stellar defense, combined with a cold shooting night from range (21%) and the free throw line (52.9%) proved fateful for the top-seeded Madonna Crusaders. Conversely, Cornerstone shot nearly 50% from three point range while also winning the battle of the boards 40-32. Equally important was the scoring from the Cornerstone bench which provided 47 of the team's 88 points. Mason Brooks came off the bench to lead all scorers with 29 points thanks to a 7-for-9 night from three point range. WHAC First Teamer and Defensive Player of the Year, Cory Ainsworth, posted a double-double with 24 points and 10 boards. Blake Stewart was the final CU scorer in double figures with 18 off the bench.
Madonna struggled to find its rhythm offensively despite a 28 point night from First Team All-Conference member Isaac Anderson. Anderson also turned in eight boards and a pair of steals. Ethan Emerzian scored 13 off the bench on a 6-of-8 effort from the field and Brendan Young added 10 points and 10 boards for a double-double.
Both Madonna and Cornerstone will move on to play in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The destination and opponent of that game will be announced on the NAIA Selection Show on March 7. The win moves Cornerstone to 24-7 on the season while WHAC regular season champion, Madonna, falls to 25-6.
All-Time (Seed) Tournament Champions
1993-94: (1) Siena Heights
1994-95: (4) Spring Arbor
1995-96: Siena Heights
1996-97: (1) Siena Heights
1997-98: Siena Heights
1998-99: (1) Cornerstone
1999-2000: (2) Siena Heights
2000-01: (2) Cornerstone
2001-02: (2) Cornerstone
2002-03: (1) Siena Heights
2003-04: (2) Cornerstone
2004-05: (2) Indiana Tech
2005-06: (2) Cornerstone
2006-07: (2) Aquinas
2007-08: (2) Indiana Tech
2008-09: (1) Aquinas
2009-10: (1) Cornerstone
2010-11: (1) Cornerstone
2011-12: (1) Davenport
2012-13: (2) Madonna
2013-14: (1) Cornerstone
2014-15: (3) Cornerstone
2015-16: (1) Davenport
2016-17: (1) Cornerstone
2017-18: (4) UM-Dearborn
2018-19: (3) Indiana Tech
2019-20: (2) Madonna
2020-21: (2) Indiana Tech
2021-22: (4) Lourdes
2022-23: (3) Madonna
2023-24: (2) Cornerstone