For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Gardner, Downs lead Eureka to 2nd straight win

January 19, 2008

EUREKA, Ill. — The Red Devils showed why they are the top field goal percentage team in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Saturday afternoon. Brittany Gardner (Mooresville, Ind./HS) showed why she is one of the top offensive players in the league. Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS) displayed why she is arguably the most athletic player in the league. It all added up to a 55-44 Eureka College victory over Webster University, the second win in a row for EC.

The Red Devils (3-11, 3-4 SLIAC) allowed only four points in the opening eight and a half minutes of play, and never trailed. Webster (7-7, 2-4 SLIAC) briefly got within 12-11, but Eureka went on the score 10 of the next 12 points for a 22-13 advantage. Gardner and fellow senior Nicole Fisher (Canton, Ill./HS) each scored four points during the run.

The Gorloks managed just three points on a trey by Jacquelyn Wamser over the final 6:45 of the half as Eureka took a 25-16 lead at intermission. Eureka allowed Webster just a 24 percentage (7-for-29) from the field in the first half, and were even stingier in the second, surrendering field goals at a 22 percent clip
(8-for-37).

Webster thrice trimmed the deficit to single figures after halftime, but each time was answered by a key Eureka bucket. Brandi Payne (Eureka, Ill./HS) was the first to take the EC lead back to double digits, followed by Shelby Naab (Beecher City, Ill./HS) and Sarah Holdenrid (Mendota, Ill./HS). Holdenrid's goal with nine minutes to go ignited eight straight Red Devil tallies, which led to their largest lead of the game at 43-27 with six minutes remaining.

From that point, Eureka was able to make enough free throws to thwart any comeback aspirations the Gorloks may have considered.

Gardner's game-high 19 points moved her over the 900 point mark for her career. She connected on Eureka's only three-pointer of the game to extend her school record to 171. Naab was next with 10 points. She also chipped in five boards and three assists.

Downs set career-highs with eight assists, seven steals and four blocked shots. Fisher attempted a season-low five field goals to finish with nine points and nine rebounds. The Red Devils shot 46 percent (21-for-46) as a team and narrowly out-rebounded their sixth consecutive opponent 41-40.

Webster was led by Wamser's 14 points off the bench. Michelle McQueen added 12 points and seven steals.

Eureka will next host Greenville College for a SLIAC doubleheader Wednesday, January 23. The women's game will begin at 6:00 pm, while the men's tilt is slated for a 8:00 pm tip-off.

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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