MBB Semifinals Recap: #1 Indiana Tech and #3 Cornerstone Advance to finals
(Tournament HQ) The top two seeds in Saturday's semifinals won in big ways to set up a #1 vs. #3 final on Tuesday. The Cornerstone offense came out firing and never stopped, posting its best offensive output of the season at exactly the right time, downing UNOH 117-82. Indiana Tech punched its ticket to the finals with a dominant win as well, handing Madonna 95-74 loss. Cornerstone returns to the WHAC championship game for the second consecutive season after winning it over Madonna a season again. Indiana Tech makes its first trip back to the finals since the 2023 season, looking for its first WHAC tournament title since 2021.
#1 Indiana Tech def. #5 Madonna Madonna, 95-74 | Box Score
Indiana Tech welcomed Madonna to Fort Wayne on Saturday for a highly-anticipated semifinal matchup. The Crusaders and Warriors split the regular season making Saturday the rubber-match with a trip to the finals on the line. The Indiana Tech Warriors demonstrated a commanding performance in the WHAC Tournament semifinals on March 1, 2025, at Fort Wayne, outplaying the Madonna Crusaders with a decisive 95-74 victory. The Warriors, seeded first, upheld their superior season record of 23-6, 18-2 against the third-seeded Crusaders who have a season tally of 19-11, 14-6.
From the onset, Indiana Tech swiftly established control, ending the first half with a 20-point lead at 51-31. The team's consistent offense, led by Dallas Roberts with 19 points, followed by Crew Gibson and Jaxson Fugate scoring 15 and 13 points respectively, disallowed any substantial comeback from the Crusaders. Madonna's top performers, Isaac Anderson and Matthew MacLellan each posted 22 points, but their efforts were overshadowed by the Warriors' cohesive team play and strategic execution.
The game was marked by Indiana Tech's robust bench performance and dominant inside play which widened their lead significantly during the second period. This tactical superiority is a testament to the team's depth and preparedness for high-stakes encounters. Looking forward to their next challenge, the Warriors are set to face #3 Cornerstone on March 4, 2025, in what promises to be a thrilling WHAC Tournament final in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
#3 Cornerstone def. #7 UNOH, 117-82 | Box Score
The red hot Cornerstone Golden Eagles defeated the Northwestern Ohio Racers with a final score of 117-82 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament semifinals on March 1, 2025. The #3 seeded Golden Eagles showcased their prowess on their home court, overcoming the #7 seeded Racers with a significant margin.
From the start, Cornerstone established a strong lead, entering halftime ahead at 59-38. Luke Rowlinson, a key player for the Golden Eagles, scored a high of 30 points, including eight successful shots from beyond the arc. His remarkable performance was well-supported by teammate Blake Stewart, who added 21 points and grabbed five rebounds. The Golden Eagles' offensive strategy was complemented by Jack Joldersma's defensive skills, contributing 17 points and four blocks, which were crucial in maintaining the lead.
Despite spirited efforts from Northwestern Ohio, with Antonio King and Caleb Chapman scoring 14 and 16 points respectively, the Racers could not bridge the gap set by Cornerstone's early lead. The Racers' additional contributions included 11 points from Marquis Freeman, featuring three three-pointers.
The victory propels Cornerstone into the final round of the WHAC tournament, where they will face the #1 seed, Indiana Tech. The crucial matchup is scheduled for March 4, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Ind., with Cornerstone looking to leverage their current momentum towards securing the championship title. Cornerstone looks to go back-to-back in the WHAC tournament for the first time since 2014 & 2015 when the Golden Eagles did so.
The loss brings an impressive run to an end for UNOH under second-year head coach Rich Westerlund. The Racers earned a pair of wins over #10 UNOH and #2 Lourdes to build their deep run.