For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Red Devils shut down MacMurray 61-39

January 16, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Eureka College women's basketball team shot a season-best 48 percent (26-for-54) and moved back to within a half game of fourth place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 61-39 victory over MacMurray College Wednesday night. It was Eureka's first road win since topping MacMurray 59-41 on February 6, 2007.

The Highlanders (1-10, 1-5 SLIAC) took an early 10-9, but the Red Devils (2-11, 2-4 SLIAC) took the lead and did not give it back as they scored the next 14 points to go up 23-10. Nicole Fisher (Canton, Ill./HS), who led EC with nine points in the opening frame, capped the run with a three-point play. But the big story was the Eureka defense, which held MacMurray to 14 first half points, including an eight minute scoreless stretch.

MacMurray never got closer than 14 points after halftime. Senior Brittany Gardner (Mooresville, Ind./HS) helped keep the opponent at bay by sinking the last of her three trifectas on the night with 14:15 remaining to give Eureka its largest lead at 43-18. She tied for game-high honors with 15 points, and dished out five assists.

MacMurray mounted a 16-5 charge to get within 48-34, but with less than five minutes to play, the Highlanders' fate had alreay been sealed. Just for confirmation, Eureka came back to outscore MacMurray 13-5 to close the game.

Fisher posted 15 points and 12 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season and 30th of her career. Three of those have come in her last three games against MacMurray, all Eureka victories. Nicole Ropp (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) and Shelby Naab (Beecher City, Ill./HS) each had four steals helping EC force 26 turnovers. They also scored 12 and eight points respectively.

Abby Lowe netted 15 points to lead the Highlanders, who were held to 29 percent (16-for-56) shooting from the field and 24 percent (4-for-17) from three-point range.

The Red Devils next will host Webster University in a key conference match up Saturday, January 19 at 3:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bsullivan@eureka.edu