For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Fisher climbs EC rebounding list with 12th double-Double

Boxscore attached

EUREKA — Nicole Fisher (Canton, Ill./HS) tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the Red Devils of Eureka could not overcome a slow start in an 82-55 defeat to conference leading Maryville University.

The Saints (15-3, 10-0 SLIAC), who have now won 70 consecutive SLIAC regular season games, which is two short of the NCAA all-time record, raced out to a 15-2 lead less than four minutes into the game.  The Red Devils (5-13, 4-6 SLIAC) recovered with the next six points to get within seven only to see Maryville respond with a 16-5 run for a 31-13 edge.

EC gained a 19-13 rebounding advantage, but Maryville went on to a 48-30 lead at halftime by forcing 21 Eureka turnovers.  After the break, the Red Devils came out with an improved defensive effort, playing almost even with Maryville for the first eight minutes of the half, and holding the Saints to 29 percent (9-for-31) shooting.

EC senior guard Brittany Gardner (Mooresville, Ind./HS) scored 11 points in the first half and later added a three-pointer for a total of 14 in the game.  She also chipped in six rebounds and four assists.  Nicole Ropp (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) tallied 10 points, while Shelby Nabb (Beecher City, Ill./HS) had eight points and seven boards.  Eureka shot 4-of-7 from long range and 36 percent (19-for-53) overall for the game.

Fisher moved into third place on Eureka's all-time list with 780 career rebounds, passing Dawn Bradbury (1994-98).  She is now 23 caroms out of second place and 32 away from the EC single season record.  She now has 12 double-doubles out of 18 games played this season.

Samantha Maines came off the bench to score 17 points to lead the Saints.  Maryville had 12 players register in the scoring column.

Despite the loss, Eureka remained tied for fourth place in the league standings with their next opponent, Blackburn College.  The two rivals will meet at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 6 in Carlinville.  Blackburn took the first meeting 65-60 at the Reagan Center on December 5.

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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