Cornerstone Downs Lourdes to Close WHAC’s First Half - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Cornerstone Downs Lourdes to Close WHAC’s First Half

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - Lourdes wrapped up the first round of Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play falling to Cornerstone 63-51 at Mol Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Even though we haven't necessary gotten all of the wins we'd like this year, we've at least been in games this year which is something that didn't happen much last year," head coach Zareth Gray stated.

 Lauren Tilden (Ravenna, Ohio/Ravenna  H.S.) led the Gray Wolves with 14 points, making 4-of-8 from three-point range, while Emily Orsini (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban H.S.) added 13 points and seven rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end of the floor.  Orsini was 6-of-10 shooting from the field.  Tiffani Blackman (Toledo, Ohio/Start H.S.) added a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.

"Tiffani Blackman had her best game of the season," Gray added.  "Emily Orsini is the one that really got us going today, coming off of the bench.  She's been our most consistent player all year."

Lourdes never led in the contest as Cornerstone jumped out to a 12-7 lead eight minutes into the game.  The Gray Wolves fought back to tie the game at 13 with 10:50 to play in the opening stanza on a jumper by Blackman only to see the Golden Eagles answer with the game's next seven points to take the lead for good.  Cornerstone closed the first half on a 10-2 run to take a 36-23 lead into the locker room.

Cornerstone continued its run out of intermission, scoring the first four points of the second half to increase the lead to 17, its largest of the game.  Lourdes tried to battle back, cutting the deficit to 11 on a Tarynn Hampton (Saint Louis, Mo./Alton H.S.) jumper with 7:21 remaining, but could not get any closer until a Tilden triple with 1:27 to play made it a nine-point game, the closest the Gray Wolves would come to the Golden Eagles in the second half.

"We gave up four offensive rebounds at critical times after we got back within 11," Gray stated.  "We need to do a better job in key situations which is part of learning how to win."

The Gray Wolves shot just 30.8% from the field for the game and committed 17 turnovers on the afternoon.  Lourdes was just 6-of-13 from the free throw line as well.

Jill Hendrickson and Kathy DeYoung led Cornerstone (13-6, 7-4 WHAC) with 14 points each while Ashley Niedermeyer and Katelyn Cousins added 10 points each.  Neidermeyer also grabbed 13 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.  The hosts shot 39.3% from the field while committing just 12 miscues.

Lourdes (5-14, 2-9) will return to Tam-o-Shanter on Wednesday evening to play three of its next four games at home.  The Gray Wolves will face Lawrence Tech with tip-off slated for 5:30 p.m.