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For Immediate Releaseelsah, illinois
February 7, 2009
Eureka now 7-3 in 2009, extends road success over prin, 79-52
When you are hot, you are hot — even when your shots are not falling. Eureka College shot just 24 percent (6-for-25) from three-point territory and 54 percent (7-13) at the line, but that does not seem to matter these days for the Red Devils. They were still able to run up their most lopsided victory of the season anyway, topping Principia College 79-52 on the road Saturday for their seventh win in their last nine games.
After squeaking out a pair of much needed conference victories thanks to a rejuvenated effort from the bench, Eureka's (9-11, 7-5 SLIAC) starting unit did much of the damage against a pesky Principia (1-18, 0-12 SLIAC) side, particularly in the first half. The EC starting five accounted for all but five of the team's 40 points put in the board before intermission.
Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) scored 11 of his 15 points and corralled eight rebounds of his 10 rebounds in the first half as Eureka marched out to a 40-21 lead heading into halftime. Senior guard Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS), who made his 47th consecutive start for EC, dropped in a pair of shots, including a three-pointer during a 13-2 run that put Eureka in front 15-4. The Red Devils never trailed on the day.
The Panthers scrapped back to within six before the Red Devils countered with a 12-2 burst for a 34-16 advantage. Zasada's timely tip in just before the first half horn took the Eureka lead to 19 points at the break.
Principia trimmed the margin to 16 with an early trey in the second half, but the Red Devils did not let down their guard. Eureka responded by pushing the tempo in transition, executing to the tune of a 18-3 run that opened up a 31-point lead (58-27) with 12:50 remaining. Eight of the points during the run were courtesy of Kameron Bell (Clinton, Ill./HS), who had 12 points after halftime.
After putting 18 points in the board in just over seven minutes, Eureka was held scoreless for the next five minutes thanks to a succession of turnovers and missed outside shots. In fact, Eureka matched its turnover count for the entire first half (3) in the span of just four possessions.
Things got a bit dicey for Eureka as Principia mounted a 12-0 comeback to get within 58-39 with nine minutes to go. The Panthers had one shot at getting even closer, but misfired and Bell converted on the other end to finish the drought for EC. Wildenradt followed closely with a three-pointer, and Principia was not able to get its deficit under 20 the rest of the way.
Zasada's double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds is his fifth in his last seven games. He also blocked three shots. Bell sank 9-of-12 from the field to lead all players with 20 points. Jordan Kindred (Chrisman, Ill./HS) tallied 11 points and six rebounds. Wildenradt became a fourth starter in double figures with 10. The Red Devils, who converted 27 of their 49 tries (55 percent) inside the arc, shot 45 percent overall. They out-rebounded Principia 47-42.
The Panthers were paced by Todd Zimmerman with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. They finished at 32 percent overall and 26 percent (7-27) from three-point territory.
Despite the recent success, Eureka still sits on the outside, looking in at the tightly bunched conference playoff chase. The Red Devils are in sixth place with four games to play, but only one game out of third. Their next chance to improve on their record will be Wednesday, February 11 at 8:00 pm versus Blackburn College in Eureka. On January 7, Eureka was victorious at Blackburn 78-69.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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