In a thriller before nearly 2,700 fans at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Cornerstone edged Calvin 88-87, using a free throw from 6-9 sophomore center John Jonker with 2.5 seconds remaining to gain the win.
The tournament title is Cornerstone’s second in the nine-year history of the Select Bank Classic with both tournament crowns coming with victories over Calvin. Calvin edged Cornerstone 85-81 in the 2000 tournament final with Cornerstone nipping Calvin 90-84 in the 2001 championship game.
Calvin also won the tournament in 1999.
Calvin (3-2) held control through the opening 12 minutes, building an 11-point lead at 33-22 after a pair of free throws from junior forward Joel Hoekstra. Ranked 17th in the latest NAIA Division II poll, Cornerstone roared back behind five three-point field goals in a two-and-a-half minute span to cut the gap to one at 38-37 and then took a 39-38 lead on a jumper in the lane by senior point guard Jim Cochrane with 3:40 remaining.
Calvin would regain the lead with a quick 5-0 spurt fueled by a three-point play from junior forward Brian Roelofs and held on for a 48-46 halftime edge.
Calvin was able to go up by seven at 62-55 on a jumper by freshman point guard Brandon Gerth with 12:57 left but Cornerstone would regain the lead with a 14-6 run that included seven points from junior forward Brandon Voorhees. The lead would then change hands 12 times over the final 6:31 of regulation.
A three-pointer by Calvin junior Andy Draayer gave Calvin an 83-82 lead with 2:40 remaining but Cornerstone (9-1) answered with a fast-break layup 40 seconds later to go up by a point. A pair of free throws by Calvin senior point guard Ricky Shilts put the Knights up 85-84 with 1:44 left on the clock but Cornerstone answered with a free throw by junior Andy Bronkema and a jumper in traffic by Voorhees to take an 87-85 lead with 36 seconds left on the clock.
Calvin would tie the game on a jumper in the lane by senior Dan Aultman with 22 seconds remaining, setting up a frantic finish.
After a timeout, Cornerstone was able to spread the floor and then get the ball into the hands of Jonker inside on a feed from point guard Josh Liggins. Jonker went up for the game-winning score but was fouled on the play. Jonker missed his first attempt but drained his second to put the Golden Eagles up by one.
A length of the court pass was then deflected into the hands of Calvin junior Kyle Trewhella who was able to put up an off-balance 25-footer that bounced off the heel of the rim, allowing Cornerstone to escape with the one-point win.
A transfer from Central Michigan University, Voorhees led all scorers with 29 points, en route to earning tournament MVP honors as he was 11 of 18 from the field including 5 of 9 from three-point range along with seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
Jonker added 12 points and seven rebounds while Bronkema collected 10 points, eight boards and four assists. Jonker and Bronkema were both named to the all-tournament team.
Aultman led Calvin with 21 points and seven rebounds and was voted to the all-tournament team for the second straight year. Draayer pumped in 17 points off the bench including five three-point field goals as he was also voted to the all tournament team.
Roelofs was also strong off the bench as he matched a career scoring high with 14 points with Hoekstra chipping in with 10 points and Meckes delivering a game-high nine rebounds. Shilts added nine points and six assists.
Calvin connected on 30 of 71 field goal attempts for a 42.3 percent clip but Cornerstone was able to hit 29 of 62 (.468) including 12 of 26 (.462) from three-point range. Both teams connected on 18 free throw attempts with the Knight shooting 81.8 percent from the line and Cornerstone 75 percent from the stripe. Calvin also held a slim 37-36 rebounding edge and committed just nine turnovers
In the consolation game, Hope defeated Aquinas 67-52. Hope was led by sophomore guard Stephen Cramer who picked up 15 points and also landed a spot on the all tournament team.
Calvin returns to action on Tuesday night when it travels to Aquinas College for a 7:30 p.m. contest.