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For Immediate Releaseeureka, illinois
Red Devils perfect in oT, get key win over maryville
EUREKA — Eureka College made all five field goal attempts in overtime to sneak past Maryville University 71-70, split the season series, and tie the Saints for fourth place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. The game finally reached its conclusion after both teams missed multiple chances to win the game earlier.
The Red Devils (6-12, 6-4 SLIAC) led the entire first half. Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) recorded seven points and nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes to lead the charge for EC. He connected on a three-pointer during a 7-0 spurt that gave Eureka the largest lead either team would have on the day at 18-7.
The Red Devils had 13 first half turnovers, however, to allow Maryville (8-10, 6-4 SLIAC) to stay close. Aaron Steinke canned a trey from the corner just before the horn to bring the Saints to within 33-30 at intermission, the closest they had been since the score was 3-1.
The momentum hardly carried over to the second half though, as Eureka ran off nine straight points for a 44-33 advantage at the 16 minute mark. But the Red Devils were held off the scoreboard for the next 6:30, and Maryville took its first lead at 46-44 with 9:42 remaining. From there, neither team led for more than four points as the drama built in a game that was pivotal to both squads' post season hopes.
Steinke moved Maryville ahead with one minute to play with a lay up, but James Kowalski (El Paso, Ill./El Paso-Gridley) was fouled on Eureka's next possession and tied the game by making his second free throw with 49 seconds on the clock.
The Saints' Jared McCoy was then whistled for an offensive foul, giving the Red Devils a chance to win the game. On the last possession of regulation, Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) lost the ball for one of Eureka's 26 turnovers to send the game into overtime.
Zasada scored the first four points for EC in the extra session, but he fouled out with 2:35 remaining and Eureka up by two. Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) later put Eureka in front 67-64 only to see Curtis Goodwin knot the game seconds later with a three-pointer.
Seth McCoy (Piper City, Ill./Tri-Point) and Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) dropped in shots for Eureka to finally give the Red Devils some breathing room, up four with 34 seconds left. But, there was plenty more drama to come.
Nick Hentis got Maryville right back in it by draining all three foul shots after he was fouled attempting a three-pointer with 16 ticks to the clock. Darnall was sent to the line, but he did not get to try his first free throw due to a Eureka line violation. He then misfired on his lone attempt giving the Saints one last chance to steal the game. Goodwin had a look from inside the three-point arc, but it was off the mark and Maryville could not get a second shot off.
Zasada registered a career-high with 20 points to lead all players. He also had a game-high 12 boards and seven steals. McComb finished with 13 points, while Wildenradt added 12 tallies and six assists. Darnall was held under double digits with eight points for the first time in seven games. Eureka shot 60 percent (9-for-15) in the second half and 57 percent (24-for-42) for the game.
Steinke had 19 points and eight rebounds to pace Maryville. The Saints grabbed 26 offensive rebounds, but shot just 18 percent (6-for-34) from three-point territory and 33 percent (23-for-69) overall. They also missed 13 out of 31 free throw attempts.
The Red Devils have two conference games on the road next week. They will next travel to Carlinville to square off with Blackburn College Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 8:00 pm. Eureka won the first meeting this season between the two teams 63-50 on December 5.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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