For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

February 10, 2007

Jays leave Red Devils feeling Blue after home loss

Next year, the Red Devils might want to make sure they beat every team the first time they play them. The Eureka College men's basketball team has played seven St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams twice this season. In each series, the winning team from the first meeting went on to take the rematch as well. Unfortunately for Eureka (13-9, 10-6 SLIAC), that meant Westminster College (13-8, 9-6 SLIAC) prevailed 81-64 Saturday over EC for the second time this year.

Westminster out-rebounded Eureka 24-16 after halftime and fired a scorching 50 percent (12-for-24) from behind the three-point arc to set up a three team race for the final league tournament spot.

The Blue Jays were clicking on all cylinders right from the opening tip. They connected on eight of their first 10 shots in taking a 20-12 lead. But after sinking eight baskets in just over six minutes, Westminster made just two in the final 14 minutes of the half.

Eureka held Westminster scoreless for over eight minutes and took control of the game as fast as Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) could launch three-pointers. The sophomore guard scored nine consecutive points, all from made three-pointers, sparking an 11-0 EC run and resulting in a three point EC margin. After a pair of treys moved the Blue Jays back ahead, Chris Tarpley (Pekin, Ill./HS), who scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the opening stanza, recorded the final five points of the half capped by a jumper just before the horn. Eureka led 28-26 at intermission.

Westminster's first nine points of the second half resulted from three-pointers and after Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) put Eureka ahead with a trey for the final time for the day, Robert Davis lifted the Blue Jays on top to stay with a conventional three-point play at the 14:49 mark. Davis and Scott Dygert connected from behind the arc enabling the visitors to grab a 50-41 lead.

The Red Devils appeared they may get a second wind just past the midpoint of the half when Tarpley ended a 4:20 scoreless drought for Eureka, netting a jumper with 9:17 remaining. A.J. Richard (Gibson City, Ill./GCMS), who was a big plus for EC on both ends of the floor with 14 points, nine boards and five blocked shots, was true on a pair from the foul line to slice the deficit to five with 8:44 to go. It was just not be to the Red Devils' day, or week for that matter. Landon Kurz's banked in three-pointer not only added insult to injury, it capped an 8-0 Westminster run making the score 63-49 with 4:20 left. It also summed up Eureka's week, which saw the Red Devils lose three games in five days all to contending teams.

Eureka sank four treys in the final 3:03, but could not chip the lead below 11. After neither side attempted a free throw in the first half, the Blue Jays were 17-for-21 (81 percent) on freebies after halftime, while EC was 5-for-12 (42 percent).

Tarpley registered his ninth double-double on the season with 15 points and 10 boards. He and Richard combined for Eureka's season-high seven blocks. Wildenradt made four treys, finishing with 12 points. Darnall chipped in 10 points and four assists off the bench. Eureka shot 46 percent (24-52) overall and 38 percent on a season-high 29 three-point attempts.

Davis led all players with 19 points and added 10 rebounds. Andrew Buxton was next in the Westminster scoring column with 16. The Blue Jays led 13-3 in points off turnovers, losing just eight in the game. They shot 42 percent (26-62) from the field.

The Red Devils are tied for fourth place in the SLIAC standings with their next opponent, Greenville College. Westminster sits just one half game back of both teams. Eureka will travel to Greenville Saturday, February 17 for a 3:00 tip-off. EC ran past the Panthers 90-78 at home on January 20. The women's game will start the doubleheader at 1:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan

Sports Information Director

Eureka College

300 E. College Avenue

Eureka, Illinois 61530

309-467-6456

bsullivan@eureka.edu