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For Immediate ReleaseMen's Basketball -- Dec. 27, 2011
Eureka Stopped at Division I Western Illinois, 73-52
MACOMB, Ill. -- Eureka College junior guard Jordan Kindred (Chrisman, Ill./Chrisman H.S.) knocked down two of the Red Devils’ nine 3-pointers and dished out six assists to reach 10th place on the all-time EC list, but Division I Western Illinois overpowered the Red Devils down the stretch for a 73-52 non-conference victory, Tuesday night at Western Hall in Macomb, Ill.
The Red Devils (5-5) knocked down three of their first five 3-point attempts, including a triple from junior forward Dustin Fritsch (Sterling, Ill./Sterling H.S./Sauk Valley) with 16:04 remaining, to claim an early 11-7 lead. The Leathernecks (6-4) promptly answered with six straight points to take their second lead of the game, but Kindred pushed the Red Devils back in front with a 3-pointer for a 21-18 cushion at the 10:14 mark. Western Illinois responded by scoring 12 of the final 14 points over the final 10 minutes of the half to carry a 30-23 advantage into halftime.
Fritsch made his second 3-pointer of the night on Eureka’s first possession of the second half to cut the WIU lead back to four points, 30-26, but the Red Devils were unable to close the gap any further for the remainder of the game. Eureka baskets by junior guard Nike Rivera (Sterling, Ill./Sterling H.S./Sauk Valley) and Kindred highlighted a 10-6 run late in the game to pull the Red Devils back within 14 points with 5:13 left, 62-48, but the hosts were able to hold off any further damage in picking up their second victory over Eureka in the last four seasons.
Kindred’s six assists were a game-high and moved his 69-game career total to 240 to pass Claye Vogelsang (2001-05) for 10th place on the all-time Eureka list. Kindred needs 19 more helpers to tie Chris Peterson (1990-94) for ninth place.
Fritsch recorded his third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a team-high 31 minutes. Junior point guard Rian Nailor (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls H.S./Sauk Valley) chipped in with 11 points, while freshman forward Brett Crite (Granville, Ill./Putnam County H.S.) made his collegiate debut with one rebound in 10 minutes of action off the bench.
Obi Emegano scored 25 points for the Leathernecks to lead all scorers. Jack Houpt added 10 points in the victory. Western Illinois held a 22-5 advantage in bench points and scored 25 of its 73 points off EC turnovers
Eureka will return to St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Spalding. Tip-off against the Golden Eagles in Louisville, Ky. is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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