For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

2nd half surge leads to 2nd straight Eureka win

December 8, 2007

EUREKA, Ill. — The Eureka men's basketball team broke open a one-point game with a 15-0 run just after halftime to remain unbeaten in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. The Red Devils' front line of Chris Beecher (Dixon, Ill./HS) and Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) spearheaded the attack with 11 and nine second half points respectively.

Zasada was especially instrumental in Eureka's 15 point rally, canning a trio of three-point field goals in less than a three minute span. The surge gave the Red Devils (2-5, 2-0 SLIAC) a 43-29 edge, which would prove to be too steep for the pesky Panthers (2-3, 1-1 SLIAC) to overcome.

There were seven lead changes and five ties in the opening 20 minutes as neither side could get out to more than a six point lead. The half included a stretch of over three minutes when neither team scored, and the count remained locked in at 22-18 in favor of EC.

Eventually, Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) scored the last of his 11 first half markers, making it a 25-20 Eureka margin. Principia put in the next seven points to recapture the lead only to see James Kowalski (El Paso, Ill./El Paso-Gridley) sink a trey in the waning moments for a 28-27 Red Devils' halftime advantage. Kowalski had all 10 of his points in the first half.

After handing away turnovers on three consecutive possessions and falling behind by 14, Principia struggled to get back in the game. That is not to say the Panthers did not make the game interesting. Principia got as close as 58-52 with 3:45 to play, but for the second game in a row, the Red Devils closed strong. They soon reclaimed their 14 point lead (66-52) to ice the game.

Darnall led all players with 17 points. He made three triples, helping Eureka to its best long range bombing of the season (37.5 percent, 9-for-24). Beecher and Zasada were both 4-for-6 from the field. Beecher scored 13 points, which represented a career-high. Zasada had 11 points and a team high eight rebounds. Seth McCoy (Piper City, Ill./Tri-Point) had a strong effort off the bench with eight points and five rebounds in 13 minutes. Eureka led in bench scoring 18-2. The Red Devils committed a season low 12 turnovers and matched their season best in points.

Kyle Johnson recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds for Principia. Todd Zimmerman (15) and Chris Watts (14) also scored in double figures for the Panthers, who made just three foul shots out of eight attempts.

Eureka concludes a four-game homestand Tuesday, December 11 versus Millikin University. The tip-off for the non-conference contest is set for 7:30 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Bryan Moore
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bmoore@eureka.edu