For Immediate Release
carlinville, illinois
January 7, 2009
Bell, Darnall, bench Lead Red Devils to first sLIAC victory
Boxscore
Staring at a halftime deficit, possible 0-4 start to conference play and perhaps the elimination of any realistic postseason hopes directly in the face, Eureka College senior Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) went a perfect 5-for-5 for 16 second half points to lead the Red Devils to a much needed 78-69 victory over Blackburn College in Carlinville Wednesday night.
Eureka (3-9, 1-3 SLIAC) survived 11 ties and 10 lead changes to improve to 5-0 against the Beavers (2-9, 0-4 SLIAC) as a member of the SLIAC.
Of course, Darnall received plenty of assistance as the Red Devils exploded for 53 points after halftime to win for the first time in five games this season when hitting at least 10 three-pointers. Kameron Bell (Clinton, Ill./HS) totaled 13 points in the second half, recording his first double-double for the Maroon and Gold with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Clint Rabbe (El Paso, Ill./HS) also had some key buckets for the Red Devils. He came off the bench to sink four treys on the night, including three after halftime.
The Red Devils began the game up 5-0 after a pair of baskets by Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS), but Eureka's leading scorer would be held to just a single point the rest of the way due to foul trouble limiting him to a season low 23 minutes.
The opening frame was evenly played throughout. Blackburn enjoyed a brief seven point cushion at the 13:14 mark following an 18-6 run, but Eureka's defense took over by allowing just three field goals for the remainder of the half. Both defenses, in fact, flexed their muscles, though the Red Devils' attack managed relative success during a 12-3 run that took over seven minutes to complete.
Murad Abbed (Danville, Ill./Bismarck-Henning) was the only Red Devil to record a point over the final 9:30 of the frame. Still, his five points left EC only down 27-25 at the break thanks to the 29 percent field goal shooting of Blackburn.
The second half was a completely different story as both squads lit up the scoreboard, gunning for their first victory in league play. For the first 16 minutes of the second half, neither bench gained more than a three point edge except for a fleeting 42-37 lead by Eureka that lasted just one possession.
Tommy Baro, who was a thorn in the Red Devils' side with 13 points after halftime, lifted Blackburn to a 57-56 lead on a jumper with 4:35 to play. But on the ensuing EC possession, Darnall drilled a three-pointer from the wing and Eureka never trailed again. A Bell layup was followed by two more Darnall baskets that started a stretch of 11 consecutive possessions in which Eureka scored.
Blackburn closed to within 65-61 with two minutes to play, and appeared to catch a huge break when a Eureka timeout was called just moments before Zasada connected on a shot that would have extended the Red Devils' lead. That was of little concern to Rabbe, who was inserted into the game and bombed in a deep three-pointer to effectively deflate for hopes of the Blackburn faithful. Eureka made 10-of-12 at the free throw line down the stretch to make that sentiment a reality.
The Red Devils shot 58 percent (18-for-31) in the second half and 48 percent (28-58) for the game. Eureka led in bench scoring 24-8. Rabbe finished with 12 and Craig Black (Sullivan, Ill./HS) chipped in seven.
Rod Sykes led Blackburn with 24 points and 11 boards. Baro had 19 thanks to 5-for-11 shooting from three-point territory. The Beavers shot 37 percent (28-75).
The Red Devils will continue SLIAC play Saturday, January 10 with a 3:00 pm tip-off against Principia College in Eureka. The Panthers have dropped the last five match ups versus EC.
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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
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