RedStorm Defeat Golden Eagles – Game Recap

Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The University of Rio Grande outscored Cornerstone (Mich.) University in each of the first three quarters and cruised to a 90-64 in the opening round of the Woods Lumber Classic, Monday afternoon, in non-conference women’s basketball action at the Newt Oliver Arena.
The RedStorm, ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 coaches’ poll, improved to 11-1 with a second straight victory.
The Golden Eagles dropped to 5-7 with the loss.
Cornerstone took a 4-2 lead just over two minutes into the contest following a jumper by Laura Innerebner, but the RedStorm responded with a 9-0 run and never trailed again.
The Rio lead stood at eight points at the close of the first period and steadily grew to as many as 22 points before settling at 20 points, 47-27, by the intermission.
The RedStorm’s advantage continued to climb throughout the second half and reached its apex of 34 points twice in fourth quarter, the last of which came at 88-54 after a layup by freshman Allie Ellyson (Glenville, WV) with just over four minutes left.
Eleven of the 12 players in uniform for Rio Grande scored at least two points, including three in double figures.
Ellyson led the winning effort with a career-best 20 points and game-high four steals, while junior Sophia Kline (Sugar Grove, OH) recorded a second straight double-double with 15 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Kline also blocked four shots.
Sophomore Josie Graves (Barboursville, WV), making her first start of the season in lieu of senior Marlee Grinstead (Albany, OH), who was limited to just 10 minutes of playing time due to illness, responded with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Senior Marina Garcia Perez (Leon, Spain) handed out a game-best 13 assists.
Rio Grande shot just under 45 percent overall (39-for-87), but went just 4-for-18 from distance (22.2%) and was only 8-for-15 at the foul line (53.3%).
The RedStorm did their damage by outrebounding the Golden Eagles, 57-32, and turning 23 CU turnovers into 37 points.
Cornerstone shot 45 percent overall (28-for-62), but was only 4-for-11 from distance (36.4%) and 4-for-13 at the charity stripe (30.8%).
Gracie Gortmaker came off the bench to net a team-high 12 points in the loss, while Jaxi Long had 10 points and a team-high five rebounds. Julie Ashbaugh and Innerebner also had five rebounds each.
Maddie Schuur had three assists for the Golden Eagles.
Rio Grande will close out the two-day event on Tuesday when it faces Spring Arbor (Mich.) University for a 2 p.m. tipoff.