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For Immediate Releaselincoln, illinois
February 19, 2009
EC snaps Lincoln Christian's school record 13 game win streak, 87-70
While Eureka College was winning nine out of 11 games, the Red Devils could not even distinguish themselves as the hottest men's college basketball team in cental Illinois. That title belonged to the Preachers of Lincoln Christian College, who were busy compiling a school record 13 consecutive victories at the same time. That is, until Thursday night when Eureka zapped the Preachers 87-70, sending them to just their second home loss of the season and first since November.
A near capacity crowd piled into the Lincoln arena in hopes of seeing a win on Senior Night. They saw a first half that was evenly played throughout. Lincoln Christian (16-12) jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, but that turned out to be the largest lead either side enjoyed in the opening stanza. The Red Devils (12-11), now winners of six in a row, grabbed their first lead at 13-12 following a three-pointer by Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS).
That would be the order of the day as Eureka hit eight treys in the first half and 13 for the game. The Red Devils recorded treys on three straight possessions in the first half, but Kyle Wilson of Lincoln Christian countered with two of his own to keep LCC close.
There were nine lead changes and eight ties, with all but one occurring in the first half. Fittingly, both teams made three-pointers in the final minute of the frame, and they went to the locker rooms tied at 43.
The Red Devils took charge in the second half, breaking free from a 45-45 deadlock with an 11-3 spurt capped by a Brady Wildenradt (Delavan, Ill./HS) three-pointer. Eureka, which did not trail after halftime, went ahead by double figures for the first time with 11:09 to play following a triple by Mark Darnall (Lake Mills, Wis./HS). Clint Rabbe (El Paso, Ill./HS) soon dropped in back-to-back three-pointers shortly after entering the game from the bench as EC opened up a 69-54 lead.
Eureka shot a potent 55 percent (16-for-29) in the second half, but the main story came on the defensive end. The Red Devils allowed just eight made Lincoln Christian field goals in the second half resulting in the Preachers shooting just 25 percent (8-32). Lincoln Christian was forced to the outside in a desperate attempt to rally back into contention, but LCC managed just one three-pointer in 13 tries in the half.
A 6-0 spurt briefly sliced the EC margin to nine, but Eureka responded by taking the next ten points for an insurmountable 79-60 lead with 4:43 to go. Kameron Bell (Clinton, Ill./HS) got the Red Devils in gear by scoring the first six points. Bell had 12 of his 18 points after halftime giving him double figures in 11 of his last 12 contests.
Wildenradt paced Eureka with 19 points, just one off the senior guard's career-high. Zasada carded his fourth double-double in his last five games with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He tallied 13 of his points in the first half. Jordan Kindred (Chrisman, Ill./HS) also scored 15. He dished out four assists and had six steals. In relief of four starters in double figures, the Eureka bench chipped in 17 points and 17 rebounds. The Red Devils out-rebounded LCC 24-16 in the second half.
Jon Wallace led the Preachers with 19 points and 13 caroms. They shot a total of 32 free throws, the most by any Eureka opponent this season. Finishing at 35 percent, Lincoln Christian became the fifth consecutive team Eureka has held under 38 percent shooting.
The Red Devils are on their first six-game winning streak since February 3, 2007. They are over the .500 mark for the first time since the end of the 2006-07 season despite starting this season 2-9.
Eureka is currently in a three-way tie for third in the conference standings with two games to play. Only the top four squads will qualify for the league tournament, heightening the drama packed into the remaining schedule. The Red Devils will next travel to Westminster College for a 3:00 pm tip-off Saturday, February 21. The Blue Jays are clinging to first place in the conference by the slimmest of margins, and are two wins away from their first ever SLIAC regular season championship. Westminster took a 70-61 decision in Eureka on January 24.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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