For Immediate Release

st. louis, missouri

January 3, 2009

Crum's 15 points lead Red Devils into '09

Boxscore

Eureka College opened the 2009 portion of the women's basketball season in challenging fashion with a road contest at five-time defending St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Maryville University Saturday afternoon. The Saints, who earlier in the week defeated the No. 9 ranked team in the country in Kean University, increased their NCAA record conference winning streak to 78 games with a 91-56 victory over EC.

The Red Devils (1-8, 1-2 SLIAC) gave Saints (6-5, 2-0 SLIAC) a run for their money in the first half. Eureka was within four points (27-23) at the 5:35 mark before Maryville closed the frame with a 13-4 run. Three-point shooting was a key factor in giving the Saints their lead as they dropped in six treys over the first 10 minutes en route to 50 percent shooting (7-for-14) in the opening half.

Maryville opened up a 25-15 advantage, but Eureka clawed back to within four on a three-pointer by Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS) and three free throws. The Saints defense held EC to just one field goal over the last 5 minutes, however, to increase the margin to 13.

The Red Devils continued to hang tough with the Saints well into the second half. Eureka contained Maryville's outside shooting game over the first seven minutes of the frame, and trailed by the same halftime deficit of 13 points with 13 minutes remaining. But after receiving a brief rest, all five Maryville starters returned to the court, and the Saints sprinted off to an 85-42 lead. Altogether, Maryville mounted a 34-4 run over a nine minute span. If not for this nine minute stretch, EC was only outscored 57-52 over the other 31 minutes of the contest.

Crum hit on 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from long distance to tie for game-high honors with 15 points. Two other Red Devils joined her in double figures: Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) and Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) each had 11. Snopek led EC with three assists, while Knight pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS) had seven boards and Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS) recorded six rebounds to go with her seven points. The Red Devils made 39 percent (20-for-51) of their shot attempts.

Courtney Bergheger made six out of seven field goal attempts and all three of her tries behind the arc for 15 points to lead Maryville. She was one of trio of Saints to sink a three treys, The others were Abby Brunnert (13 points) and Kim Douglas (11 points). Maryville shot 47 percent (33-for-70) overall.

Eureka next has a non-conference game at home versus Knox College Monday, January 5 at 6:00 pm. The match up with the Prairie Fire was originally slated for December 19, but was postponed by poor traveling conditions.

###

For More Information Contact:

Bryan Moore
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bmoore@eureka.edu