November 24, 2008

Zasada begins season with SLIAC Player of the Week award

Michael Zasada (McHenry, Ill./HS) of Eureka College received the initial St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week Award for the season.  Eureka swept the winter season awards for the week of November 17-23 as Chantaivia Knight of EC earned the honor for women's basketball.  The same league school won both awards in the same week just once out of 14 weeks last season.


Zasada averaged a double-double in three games played last week and was named to the Illinois College Bill Merris All-Tournament Team. He led the Red Devils (1-2) in rebounds and scored in double figures in all three contests. He averaged 13.3 point and 10.3 boards, while chipping in four steals and three blocked shots during the week. He showed deadly accuracy from both the free throw line (7-for-7) and three-point territory (7-for-10) as well.

The 6-5 junior forward had 15 points and nine rebounds against Division I Western Illinois as Eureka led most of the first half before falling 75-57. He then recorded 13 points and nine caroms in an 81-68 loss to Benedictine and saved his best game for a narrow 64-63 EC victory over Earlham when he posted 12 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals. He made clutch plays late in that contest, including a lay up to tie the game at 60 and sinking a pair of three throws with 2:05 left to set up the game-winning basket. He has lifted the Red Devils' field goal and free throw percentages on the season to 42 and 83 percent respectively.

The Red Devils will return to the court Wednesday, November 26. The EC men open their home schedule at 6:00 pm versus Monmouth College. There will be a JV game beforehand starting at 4:00 pm.

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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