For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Without Z, Red Devils battle to bitter end

December 11, 2007

EUREKA, Ill. — Eureka's James Kowalski (El Paso, Ill./El Paso-Gridley) came off the bench to score a career high 17 points, but a short-handed Red Devils squad dropped a 67-55 non-conference game to visiting Millikin University. It was a gritty effort by Eureka College, which rallied from a 10 point deficit to take a second half lead.

Millikin (5-1) struggled from three-point territory and the foul line, shooting 26 percent (5-19) and 53 percent (8-15) respectively. But the Big Blue posted a 46 percent mark (27-59) overall, while Eureka (2-6) registered 37 percent (21-57) from the field despite a better showing from long range (43 percent, 9-for-21).

The Red Devils forced six ties in the opening half, but did not lead over the final 16 minutes. The Millikin edge did not get above six, however, and Seth McCoy (Piper City, Ill./Tri-Point) dropped in a 12-foot one-handed circus shot just before the halftime horn bringing EC to within 31-30.

Although the Red Devils misfired on their first seven shots after the break as Millikin kept Eureka off the scoresheet for over five minutes, the EC defense kept the Big Blue within range. That gave time for Kowalski to can back-to-back treys and Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) to add a third to bring Eureka right back into the game. Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) gave Eureka its first lead in over 24 minutes with a driving lay up, capping an 11-0 run. With 12:22 remaining, the Red Devils led 41-40.

But it would be Millikin eventually taking advantage of its size mis-match down the stretch. The Red Devils were down just 46-42 at the six minute mark before a 9-1 Millikin push took the deficit into double figures for the first time. The late run by Millikin made the final score deceiving for how closely the game was contested.

With Eureka's second leading scorer and top rebounder Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) out of the line up due to injury, McCoy was deployed as a starter and responded with career highs of eight points and a game high 11 rebounds. Wildenradt and Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) each had 10 points and combined for seven steals. Kowalski sank three triples as EC shot a season best from behind the arc.

Tunde Ogunleye of Millikin led all players with 23 points, with 16 coming after halftime. He was 3-for-5 on three-point attempts, while his teammates combined to go 2-for-14. Robert Rexroade recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Big Blue, who out-rebounded Eureka 41-32.

The Red Devils' final game of 2007 is coming up Friday, December 14 at Knox College. It is part of a doubleheader as the women's game is slated for 5:30 pm and the men's contest is to follow at 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