For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Nicole Fisher is 12th to 1,000 points in EC loss to IWU

November 20, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Senior forward Nicole Fisher (Canton, Ill./HS) became the 12th Red Devil since the women's basketball program began at Eureka College in 1975 to reach 1,000 career points Tuesday night in a 90-40 defeat versus Illinois Wesleyan University.

Fisher needed 49 points coming into the season to reach the milestone, and did so with a free throw with 6:50 remaining in her third game of the season. She finished the contest with 17 points, moving her into 11th place on the EC all-time list with 1,006. She also had 12 rebounds to lead all players on the night.

Eureka (0-3) opened the game very well, holding a 14-12 lead nine minutes into the game over the Titans (2-1), who recently beat Washington University, the top ranked preseason NCAA Division III team.

Soon, however, turnovers began to mount for the Red Devils, and Illinois Wesleyan put on a 26-4 run to go into halftime leading 40-20.

The Titans tossed up three-pointers liberally in the first half, but connected on just four out of 26 attempts. But 17 offensive rebounds gave them enough second and third chances to build their lead. The fine offensive rebounding continued after halftime, while seven more treys fell, allowing Illinois Wesleyan to keep Eureka at bay.

The Red Devils cut down on their give-aways in the second half, and shot well at the foul line (15-for-20, 75 percent). They held the Titans to 38.1 percent (32-84) from the floor, but managed 32.4 percent (11-34) themselves.

Nicole Ropp (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) sank a pair of three-pointers in the second half to finish with seven points off the EC bench. Brandi Payne (Eureka, Ill./HS) was plagued with foul trouble, yet added six points and four boards.

Mallory Heydorn dropped in four triples en route to a team-leading 16 points for Illinois Wesleyan. Sarah Bull tallied 14.

The Red Devils will make their first home appearance of the season in their next game. They host the University of Dubuque at 8:00 pm Friday, Nov. 30 on day one of the EC Classic. Greenville and Robert Morris Springfield will play the opening game of the event starting at 6:00 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