#3 Cornerstone repeats as tournament champion with OT win over #1 IT
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – (Box Score) For the second consecutive season, Cornerstone University has claimed the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament title. The Golden Eagles, the three seed this season, put together a tremendous second half effort to overcome an eight-point first half deficit to force overtime and secure the victory. The win is the 12th tournament title in Cornerstone history and punches the Golden Eagles’ ticket to the NAIA National Championship. Indiana Tech also will be playing in the postseason by way of their regular season WHAC title. Both teams will learn their opponent and location on Thursday at 7 p.m. during the NAIA selection show. The last time the #1 seed won the WHAC tournament was Cornerstone back in 2017.
Blake Stewart and Mason Brooks led the scoring for the Golden Eagles. Stewart contributed a noteworthy 17 points and 7 rebounds and provided additional support with 3 assists and a steal. Brooks followed closely with 16 points and 9 rebounds. His critical 3-pointer and subsequent free throws in the overtime period were decisive in clinching the victory for Cornerstone. The performances of these players were crucial in overcoming the efforts of Indiana Tech’s Crew Gibson, who had an impressive game with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
All-Time (Seed) Tournament Champions
1993-94: (1) Siena Heights
1994-95: (4) Spring Arbor
1995-96: Siena Heights
1996-97: (1) Siena Heights
1997-98: Siena Heights
1998-99: (1) Cornerstone
1999-2000: (2) Siena Heights
2000-01: (2) Cornerstone
2001-02: (2) Cornerstone
2002-03: (1) Siena Heights
2003-04: (2) Cornerstone
2004-05: (2) Indiana Tech
2005-06: (2) Cornerstone
2006-07: (2) Aquinas
2007-08: (2) Indiana Tech
2008-09: (1) Aquinas
2009-10: (1) Cornerstone
2010-11: (1) Cornerstone
2011-12: (1) Davenport
2012-13: (2) Madonna
2013-14: (1) Cornerstone
2014-15: (3) Cornerstone
2015-16: (1) Davenport
2016-17: (1) Cornerstone
2017-18: (4) UM-Dearborn
2018-19: (3) Indiana Tech
2019-20: (2) Madonna
2020-21: (2) Indiana Tech
2021-22: (4) Lourdes
2022-23: (3) Madonna
2023-24: (2) Cornerstone
2024-25: (3) Cornerstone