For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Charity stripe unkind to Red Devils in loss to #18 Elmhurst

November 24, 2007

ELMHURST, Ill. — The upset-minded Red Devils led for the first 32 minutes of Saturday's non-conference men's basketball game at Elmhurst College only to see the 18th ranked Blue Jays remain unbeaten (3-0) with a 64-51 comeback victory. Eureka College slides to 0-4 on the young season that has seen the Maroon and Gold play three different opponents with a combined record of 9-1.

Eureka clamped down on the Elmhurst attack throughout the opening half. In fact, the Blue Jays were fortunate to be only behind 24-21 to Eureka at intermission as the Red Devils could only convert four out of 12 free throw opportunities.

Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) scored nine of his 11 points in the first half to lead Eureka. The Red Devils scored the first eight points of the contest, and enjoyed their largest lead of 11 points (15-4) just over nine minutes into the fray.

Elmhurst was able to slice into the lead, and Ryan Burks of the Blue Jays canned a three-pointer late in the period to make it a one-point game. Chris Beecher (Dixon, Ill./HS) moved Eureka back ahead by three in the final minute, which ignited an 8-0 rally that spilled over into the second half. Elmhurst head coach Mark Scherer was assessed two technical fouls and subsequently ejected from the game for arguing a call after the first half ended. Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS), whose uncle coached Scherer, an all-conference and Hall of Fame player at Eureka in the 1980s, sank all four technical free throws before adding a bucket to begin the half as Eureka built a 30-21 advantage.

Darnall continued to provide big baskets to the Red Devils even though Elmhurst tried to catch up. He hit a three-pointer to put Eureka ahead 35-29, a lay up to make the count 40-36 and a jumper after Elmhurst had squared the game at 40-40. But after that basket just past the midpoint of the half, Elmhurst ran off the next 11 points. The Blue Jays finally took their first lead with 7:50 remaining and never let go.

Darnall tallied a game-high 19 points, including 17 of Eureka's 27 in the second half. Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) and Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) each grabbed seven rebounds to lead the team. Eureka shot 32.8 percent (19-58) from the field and 21.1 percent (4-19) from long range, but hauled in 17 offensive rebounds. The Red Devils connected on only half of their 18 free throw attempts, compared to Elmhurst's 86.4 percent (19-22) showing at the line.

The Blue Jays were led by Brent Ruch's double-double with 16 points and 12 boards on 6-for-6 shooting. Burks netted 17 points to pace Elmhurst, which shot 44.4 percent (20-45) for the game.

The Red Devils are slated to begin the home portion of their schedule as they take on Dominican University at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 28.

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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