SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – A late run by Cornerstone University proved to be the difference in the game as the Spring Arbor University women's basketball team fell to the Golden Eagles on Tuesday.
The Cougars closed a late double-digit deficit to six points in the final minute, but Cornerstone (7-5) was able to hold on to hand the Cougars a 69-64 setback.
Sophomore Kylie Townsley finished with 23 points while classmate Aimee Konkel poured in 21 to lead SAU. Townsley also added seven rebounds, six steals and four assists.
The Cougars and Golden Eagles exchanged the lead seven times through the first 12 minutes until a 5-0 CU run gave the visitors a 21-17 at the 5:54 mark. Cornerstone extended its lead to six, 28-22, with just under two minutes to play in the period, but Townsley answered with five consecutive points to narrow the gap to one. However, the Golden Eagles would notch the final five points of the half to take a 33-27 lead into the locker room.
Senior Lindsey Burnside scored the first seven points for the Cougars to open the second stanza, helping SAU battle back to tie the score 42-42 at the 13:56 mark. The two teams continued to go back and forth until a 15-5 CU run proved to be the turning point in the game, putting the Golden Eagles in front for good.
Spring Arbor, trailing by 11 with 5:16 remaining, would make one last charge. Konkel buried one of her six three-pointers to trim the deficit to seven before converting an old-fashioned three-point play to get the Cougars within five, 63-58, at the 2:54 mark. Cornerstone would answer with four straight points, though, and escape with the narrow victory.
The Cougars forced the Golden Eagles into 23 turnovers on the night, while committing just 13, but the visitors countered the giveaways by out-rebounding SAU 49-31. Cornerstone also used its size to its advantage, scoring 36 points in the paint compared to Spring Arbor's 22.
Burnside joined Townsley and Konkel in double figures, finishing with 11 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Konkel and sophomore Karly Bender also dished out four assists apiece.
Spring Arbor (4-8) is right back in action at Albion College (5-3) on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
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