For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Eureka shows strong defense despite loss to Dominican

November 28, 2007

EUREKA, Ill. — The Eureka College men's basketball home opener was dimmed Wednesday night as the Dominican University Stars plodded their way to a 57-49 come-from-behind victory. Eureka led by as many as 11 in the first half only to see the lead slip away completely after halftime. It was the third time in the last four games the Red Devils (0-5) have blown a lead of at least nine points.

After missing their first four field goal attempts of the contest, the Red Devils connected on seven of their next nine to race out to a 16-7 advantage. Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS), who scored nine points in less than nine minutes to begin the game, capped a 15-2 Eureka run that moved EC in front 18-7.

Dominican (2-2) slowly climbed back into the game, eventually getting as close as three (28-25) at the halftime bell.

The Stars scored the final six points of the first half and the first four of the second to rally for a 29-28 lead. Eureka struggled mightily from the field after halftime, shooting just 26 percent (7-27), but the Red Devils never let Dominican out of their sights. Eureka stayed close mostly thanks to the defensive side of the ball, but Cody Myers (Ipava, Ill./South Fulton) sparked the offense, converting a rare four-point play to tie the game at 38.

There were five ties in all in the second half, with the last one coming at 48-48 with 2:18 remaining. Dominican took over from there. Dan Borys, who led the Stars with 11 points, was left alone under the basket and turned a nice pass from Mike Haiduc into a 50-48 lead. After starting the game 8-for-16 at the line, Dominican sank seven out of eight freebies down the stretch to seal the game. The foul line was a sore spot all night for the Red Devils, who did not attempt a free throw in the first half, and were outscored 15-5 at the stripe in an eight point defeat.

Darnall led all players with 17 points in a game that featured only two players scoring in double figures. The Eureka front line of Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS), Chris Beecher (Dixon, Ill./HS), Seth McCoy (Piper City, Ill./Tri-Point) and others did a superb job defensively, holding Dominican leading scorer Mike Haiduc to seven points on 3-of-12 shooting. Beecher grabbed eight rebounds, while he and McCoy swatted a pair of blocks. The Red Devils also zeroed in on the Dominican shooters, holding them to
2-for-18 (11 percent) from three-point range. However, EC was not much better at 21 percent (6-28) behind the arc.

The Red Devils have a week off before beginning conference play with the second of four straight home games. Rival Blackburn College will be the opposition at 8:00 pm Wednesday, Dec. 5. The men's game will be preceded by the women's contest at 6:00 pm.

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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