Feb. 27, 2007

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Cornerstone University women's basketball team is headed back to Sioux City, Iowa for the NAIA National Championship tournament after a 71-56 win over Madonna in the WHAC tournament championship game Monday night.

Stephanie Allers posted a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles. It was Allers ninth double double of the season and her second in a row.

Cornerstone jumped out to an early lead and Madonna just couldn't quite get it back to even. They would make a run in mid-way through the second half, cutting the lead to five, only to see the Golden Eagles respond with a 6-0 run of their own.

Madonna made just 7-of-35 shots (20-percent) in the first half as Cornerstone took a 36-24 lead into the locker room at the half.

Jenna Plewes recorded her eighth double double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Plewes was only 3 assists shy of a triple double. Sarah Bussis scored 18 points in her final game in Mol Arena. The Golden Eagles shot 44-percent from the field and 40-percent from the 3-point line.

Madonna struggled from the field all night against a stingy CU interior defense, finishing the game at a 26.5-percent clip from the field including 25-percent from behind the arc.

The Golden Eagles won the battle of the boards pulling down 12 more rebounds that the Crusaders.

Cornerstone advances to the NAIA National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa which begins March, 7.