For Immediate Release
eureka, illinois
January 21, 2009
Bell tolls for 27 as eureka extends winning streak to 4
Boxscore
The Eureka College men's basketball team extended its winning streak to four games Wednesday night with an 83-71 triumph over MacMurray College. The win moves the Red Devils to 4-3 both on the road and in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
Although the final score falls right in line with the other results during Eureka's (6-9, 4-3 SLIAC) hot streak, this win was far different than the previous three victories. The Red Devils' three-point shooting betrayed them on this night to the tune of 29.6 percent (8-for-27). But they buckled down defensively and committed just seven turnovers to reach 80 points for the third consecutive game.
The Highlanders (4-12, 3-4) came out gunning in their home gym, building a 25-18 lead by the midpoint of the first half. Farrid Coleman sank three triples in the early going to lift MacMurray on top.
After a slow start, Eureka did a tremendous job frustrating the MacMurray attack for the remainder of the half. The Red Devils held the Highlanders without a field goal for over eight minutes during a monumental 22-1 run that left EC with a 40-26 lead. MacMurray's Adam Polston canned a pair of three-pointers late in the frame to get the hosts within 42-32 at the break, but they never fully recovered.
Kameron Bell (Clinton, Ill./HS) and Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) each scored 14 points in the first half. They would be Eureka's only double digit scorers in the game.
The Red Devils struggled mightily from the field after halftime, recording a field goal percentage of 24.2 (8-for-33). But, they stayed aggressive offensively, drawing 25 free throw attempts. Eureka made 23 of those to finish 29-for-31 at the stripe for a sparking 93.5 percent.
Neither side was able to gain much momentum in the second half. Eureka was unable to put away the stubborn Highlanders, nor was MacMurray able to mount a furious charge. The margin was twice cut to three on three-pointers by Coleman. The last time came with 3:25 to go.
Eureka next handed away a rare turnover, but MacMurray misfired on a two shots that would have shrunk Eureka's cushion to one. The second miss was the result of a Zasada block. He went on to recover the loose ball, get fouled and sink two free throws. That started an 8-0 EC spurt that pushed the margin back to double figures at 77-66. All eight points in the run came on free throws. MacMurray tried to extend the game with a series of fouls, but could not get closer than eight the rest of the way.
Bell led all players in the game with a career-high 27 points on 8-of-11 from the field. He was a rarity in the Red Devils' line up, going a perfect 3-for-3 from long range, while the rest of the squad was 5-for-24. He has scored at least 18 points in all four games during the winning streak. Zasada notched back-to-back double-doubles with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Murad Abbed (Danville, Ill./Bismarck-Henning) doubled his previous career-high with eight boards as Eureka out-rebounded MacMurray 47-44.
Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) finished with nine points, six assists and five rebounds. Seth McCoy (Piper City, Ill./Tri-Point) and Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS) each had six points.
Coleman tallied 25 points to lead MacMurray. Frederick Miller and Ryan Sichting had 13 points apiece. The Highlanders were limited to 35 percent (27-78) from the field and 47 percent (7-15) at the foul line.
The Red Devils will return home to square off with the conference leading Westminster College Blue Jays Saturday, January 24 at 3:00 pm. Westminster is coming off a home loss to Fontbonne, but opened the SLIAC slate with six consecutive wins and holds a slim half-game lead in the standings. The Red Devils were topped twice last season Westminster by finals of 66-52 and 58-52.
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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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