Second-Half Surge Sends Cornerstone Past Wolverines, 66–53
UM-Dearborn carried a nine-point halftime lead into the locker room, but a cold-shooting second half proved costly as Cornerstone erased the deficit and pulled away for a 66–53 WHAC road victory on Wednesday night at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
DEARBORN, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn built a halftime lead but was unable to sustain its momentum over the final 20 minutes, falling 66–53 to Cornerstone on Wednesday night in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference action at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
The Wolverines opened the contest on even footing, trailing just 19–16 after one quarter before delivering their best stretch of the game in the second. UM-Dearborn held Cornerstone to eight points in the period and outscored the Golden Eagles 20–8 to take a 36–27 advantage into the break.
That momentum shifted after halftime. Cornerstone responded with an 18–9 third quarter to reclaim the lead, then closed the game by limiting the Wolverines to eight points in the fourth while scoring 21 of its own.
Tamia Tounsel and Marissa Thomas paced Michigan-Dearborn with 16 points apiece. Tounsel posted a double-double with 18 rebounds to go along with four assists, while Thomas added six free throws and steady interior scoring. Alicia Ortiz chipped in nine points off the bench, and Lillian Golson contributed eight points and three steals.
The Wolverines struggled from the field, shooting 28.3 percent overall and 15.0 percent from three-point range, while committing 13 turnovers. Cornerstone finished at 44.6 percent shooting and held a 41–38 rebounding edge, led by Laura Innerebner's 16 points and eight rebounds and Gracie Gortmaker's 15 points off the bench.
