For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

February 17, 2007

Red Devils survive OT, Panthers for critical league win

Few wins have come easy for the Eureka College men's basketball team this season, so Saturday's 92-88 overtime triumph over St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Greenville College (12-12, 10-7 SLIAC) can hardly be viewed as an exception. Although, there were many exceptional plays made as both squads grinded for a pivotal victory. In the end, it was the Red Devils (14-9, 11-6 SLIAC), who survived 12 ties and 17 lead changes, moving within one win of clinching a SLIAC Tournament spot.

Seniors Tim Peffer (Hinckley, Ill./Hinckley-Big Rock) and Chris Tarpley (Pekin, Ill./HS) combined for 23 first half points, including all of Eureka's tallies during a 10-2 outburst that gave EC is largest lead of the opening frame at 33-28. But costly turnovers led to numerous fast break opportunities for the fleet-footed Panthers as Greenville closed the stanza on a 13-4 rally. Panthers outscored Eureka 16-9 in points off turnovers in the first half in taking a 41-37 advantage at intermission.

After shooting 59 percent in the first half, the Panthers looked to improved on even those lofty numbers by connecting on five of their first six field goal attempts in addition to going 3-for-3 at the line. Greenville's margin ballooned to 50-39 at the 17:30 mark.

The Red Devils' fortunes changed dramatically shortly after head coach Jay Bruer called for time with 17:18 to play. Eureka limited Greenville to just a single field goal over a span of 5:15, while mounting a 17-2 charge. Roughly seven minutes after Greenville had taken the largest lead of the game, the Red Devils had claimed their largest lead of the day at 62-56.

Just as it appeared the Panthers were on the ropes, LaPhonso Ellis buried two treys sparking an 11-2 Greenville run, putting the hosts ahead 67-64. A.J. Richard (Gibson City, Ill./GCMS), who was a big force on the interior for EC with 16 second half points, scored Eureka's next 10 points, lifting his squad to a 72-69 advantage.

The Red Devils extended their margin to five after a three-pointer by Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) only to watch Greenville register the next six points capped by Chris Simmons' three-point play with 2:37 remaining. Neither team scored until less than one minute left when Peffer took a feed from Tarpley and made a long two-pointer moving EC in front 78-77.

Simmons again answered on the other end by sinking two free throws with 32 ticks to play. Trailing by one again, Eureka called time out, but this one proved less effective than the breather early in the half as Antonio Conquest picked off a McComb pass on the baseline and was fouled with 15.2 seconds to go.

Conquest made the first of two foul shots to give Greenville a two point cushion. His second throw was off the mark and Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS), who nearly fell out of bounds in the scrum chasing after the rebound, found Tarpley with a pass behind the defense. Tarpley was unable to convert on the fast break lay up, however, thanks to a hard foul from behind by Simmons. The 6-7 forward was forced out of the game due to a head injury and Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) was called on off the bench to shoot his free throws. The freshman misfired on both, but it worked out well for Eureka as McComb swooped in with a potential season-saving play to grab the offensive rebound and make a five foot floater in the lane to square the game at 80 with 5.7 seconds on the clock.

The Panthers' Ben Hensold had an open look from the three-point line just before the buzzer, but his shot rimmed out, resulting overtime.

Ellis dropped in three-pointers on Greenville's first two possessions of the extra session, giving Greenville an 86-82 edge. The Red Devils fought back to take an 89-88 lead with scores on their next three possessions thanks to a trey by Wildenradt, lay up by Richard and tip in by Zasada. Peffer added one to the EC margin with a free throw with 12 seconds to play setting up one final chance for Greenville. Panthers never hoisted a shot up as Wildenradt stepped in the take away a Simmons' pass and sank two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to provide the final score.

Peffer led four Red Devils in double figures with 24 points. Richard made seven out of 12 shots from the field en route to 20 points. Both Peffer and Richard tied season-highs in points. Tarpley grabbed a game-high eight boards and added 15 points. Wildenradt recorded 13 points, four rebounds and three steals. EC outscored Greenville 17-9 on free throws.

Hensold led the Panthers, who fell at home for just the second time in eight league games, with 19 points. Conquest ended with 14. Simmons tallied a double-double with 11 points and 12 assists. Greenville slightly out-shot Eureka 53.8 percent (35-65) to 52.4 percent (33-63).

The Red Devils host Principia College for Senior Night Tuesday, February 20 for a 6:00 pm tip-off. Eureka needs either a win or and Fontbonne loss to Maryville Tuesday to clinch a place in the tournament. Eureka topped Principia 72-56 on the road January 23. Seniors Mike Fredericks (Washburn, Ill./Lowpoint-Washburn), Tim Peffer, A.J. Richard and Chris Tarpley will be recognized.

###

For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan

Sports Information Director

Eureka College

300 E. College Avenue

Eureka, Illinois 61530

309-467-6456

bsullivan@eureka.edu