For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Zasada named All-Tournament, EC finishes play at UW-W

November 17, 2007

WHITEWATER, Wis. — Nick Williams scored all 20 of his points in the second half, helping North Park University break open a close game and send the Eureka College men's basketball team home from the UW-Whitewater Tip-off Tournament with an 0-2 mark. With both squads losing on the first day of the event, this game was the first of two between North Park and EC in the span of four days.

Williams also displayed a deft touch from three-point range, which was another key factor in the game. Bruce Durham and Williams combined to connect on six out of seven three-point attempts leading the Vikings (1-1) to a 52.4 percent mark from behind the arc.

The Red Devils (0-2) took it to North Park early, jumping out to a 13-4 lead just over five minutes into the contest. The Eureka nine-point edge would eventually evaporate, and the first half turned into a see-saw affair that featured 15 lead changes, including 13 over the last nine minutes before halftime. The Red Devils had the upper hand most of the time, but a trey by Durham pushed the Vikings in front 36-34 at intermission.

North Park struggled to find breathing room in the early second half as well, and Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) dropped in the three-pointer with 13 minutes to play making the score 50-46. However, the Vikings then blitzed EC with a 13-3 run, increasing the advantage to 63-49. The Red Devils tried to fight back, but could get no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) led Eureka with 15 points and seven rebounds. He was 2-for-5 from behind the arc, but EC was just 21 percent (4-19) as a team. Matt McComb (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley), Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) and Darnall all scored in double figures with 14, 13 and 12 respectively.

North Park won the rebounding battle 42-30 led by the 13 boards of Jorge Gonzalez. The Vikings gained a slight edge in field goal shooting (45.8 percent to 45.1).

Due to a scheduling quirk, The Red Devils will not have to wait long for a chance to avenge this loss as they are scheduled to play at North Park for their next contest, Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 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