For Immediate Release

decatur, illinois

November 30, 2006

Eureka ices Millikin at free throw line

Eureka College (3-2) went on the road and handed Millikin University (2-1) its first defeat of the season 68-62 Thursday night in non-conference men's basketball action.

The Red Devils shot 50 percent (14-28) in the second half and used a 13-4 run to take the lead for keeps. The game featured nine ties and 10 lead changes.

Eureka senior Tim Peffer (Hinckley, Ill./Hinckley-Big Rock) was the leading scorer in the game with 19 points. He hit four three-pointers in the contest, including two during a 12-3 EC rally in the first half that put the Red Devils in front 20-11 at the five minute mark. Millikin fought back to take the lead 23-22, but Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) made two free throws with no time on the clock to give the edge to Eureka at halftime 24-23.

The Red Devils set a season-high for points in a half with 44 after the break against the Big Blue. Peffer led the way with 13, while Chris Tarpley (Pekin, Ill./HS) had eight and Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) added seven. It was Wildenradt's trey that gave EC a 54-45 lead, capping Eureka's 13-4 run and prompting a Millikin timeout with 7:13 remaining.

Korte Long brought Millikin within six after a three-point play, but Eureka shot a solid 76.2 percent (16-21) from the line to not allow Millikin to get any closer. It could be said that free throw shooting determined the winner of the game as Millikin made just 33.3 percent (6-18) of its foul shots. Both squads shot 40 percent from the field.

Tarpley recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double in five games. He secured all five of Eureka's offensive rebounds in the game as EC tallied only four second chance points. A.J. Richard (Gibson City, Ill./GCMS) had eight points and pulled down eight boards helping EC to a 39-34 rebounding advantage.

Korte Long recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds and Bryon Graven scored 16 to lead the Big Blue. Millikin's leading scorer, Drew Gensler, was held to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting. Millikin made 13.3 percent (2-15) of its three-point tries.

The Red Devils have nearly a week off before they begin SLIAC play at home versus Blackburn College. The conference opener is slated for 6:00 pm on December 6 with the women's game to follow.

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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