(Grand Rapids, MI) - #5 seed CUAA women's basketball traveled to #4 seed Cornerstone in the first round of the WHAC tournament.  The game was close and went right down to the wire but the Golden Eagles emerged with an 81-76 win. 

Abby Long led the team with 33 points.  Lauren Borsenik came in second with 17 points and a team-high of seven rebounds.   

Lauren Borsenik scored the first four Cardinal points. Abby Long tied the contest 7-7 with a 3-pointer.  Abby Long began her standout day with the team's next nine points as the Cardinals took the lead.  Jess Andrew made two free throws and the game was tied 16-16 after the first quarter.   

Abby Long drove for a layup to open the second quarter.  Jess Andrew hit a jumper and Brooke Brauher scored inside.  The team began to find success getting to the free throw line with six made by Abby Long and two from Lauren Borsenik.  Brooke Brauher and Abby Long added baskets to put CUAA up 34-28 at halftime. 

Avery Collins drove for a layup to start the third quarter.  Lauren Borsenik, Ryan Moorer and Brooke Brauher drained free throws with Brauher adding a layup.  Lauren Borsenik and Jess Andrew converted layups with Borsenik also making two free throws.  Abby Long drained free throws and Julia Hirt pump-faked her defender and scored a layup.  The score began to tighten with CUAA leading 53-51 at the end of the third quarter. 

Cornerstone briefly took the lead until Abby Long knocked down a jumper.  Lauren Borsenik made an offensive putback and Ryan Moorer finished an "and-1" as the lead continued to shift.  Lauren Borsenik scored two more times in the paint and Abby Long drained a pair of free throws.  However, Cornerstone built a 76-67 lead with 1:20 remaining.   

Abby Long began a late comeback effort with a 3-pointer.  Cornerstone then turned the ball over with an offensive foul on the inbound.  Abby Long drained free throws and made a steal leading to a layup, pulling the Cardinals within two points with 47 seconds to play.  While Julia Hirt later added a layup, the Golden Eagles were able to hold on for an 81-76 win.