|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
For Immediate Releaseeureka, illinois
Zasda nets 18 to lead Eureka Sweep of Principia
ELSAH, Ill. — Sophomore forward Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) tallied a career-high 18 points to led Eureka College to its third men's basketball victory in four games. The Red Devils never trailed for the second consecutive contest en route to a 69-54 conference victory at Principia College.
The Eureka (5-11, 5-4 SLIAC) defense smothered the Principia (2-11, 1-7 SLIAC) attack nearly all afternoon, limiting the Panthers to a 28.4 field goal percentage (19-for-67). The Red Devils were able to run out to a 12-4 lead as they surrendered just one field goal in almost seven minutes to begin the game.
Eureka steadily padded its cushion as the first half played out, eventually reaching 16 points. The count was 40-27 at intermission. The Red Devils shot a robust 52 percent (16-for-31) from the field in the half, which included a 5-for-8 effort from long range. Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) and Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) each knocked down a pair of three-pointers in get EC going.
The Panthers sank a three-pointer in the opening possession of the second frame, but EC responded with four Chris Beecher (Dixon, Ill./HS) free throws and an old fashioned three-point play by Zasada for a 7-0 spurt and a 47-30 lead. The Eureka advantage would stay between 11 and 19 points the rest of the way. Beecher was a major force on the both ends of the floor, recording eight points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Principia got as close as 54-43 with 8:29 remaining thanks in part to sporadic foul shooting by the Red Devils. But the Eureka defense was again the story as the Panthers went seven minutes with just one field goal allowing EC to build a 62-46 edge. The 15-point win marked Eureka's largest margin of victory this season and second triumph over Principia.
What was most impressive about Zasada's career-high of 18 points was that it came on just seven field goal attempts. He made six of his seven tries, and also grabbed a game-high 15 boards for his 3rd double-double of the season. McComb connected of 7-of-9 shots for 17 points, his eighth double digit scoring game in his last nine outings. He added five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) chipped in 11 points, while Wildenradt finished with eight points and eight caroms. EC finished at 43 percent (23-for-54) from the field.
Principia was led by Chris Watts, who registered 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Red Devils will try to stay hot as they step out of conference to take on Lincoln Christian College on the road Wednesday, January 30 at 8:00 pm.
###
For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
|
|---|
|
|---|
