For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

carlinville, illinois

January 7, 2009

byard, crum stay hot for EC, but slow start foils red devils

Boxscore

Eureka College fell behind 13-0 just three minutes after the opening tip and could not fully recover in a 64-49 loss at Blackburn College despite the 20 points and eight rebounds of Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill.).

Blackburn (4-9, 2-2 SLIAC) began the game 7-for-10 from the field, resulting in a 14-point lead over the visiting Red Devils (1-10, 1-3 SLIAC), who have now lost three consecutive games in Carlinville. Eureka put together several scoring runs to close the gap, including an 11-2 rally that brought the count to 26-21 with three minutes left in the first half.

As if the 13-point deficit to begin the game did not add enough degree of difficulty to the game for Eureka, Blackburn would shutdown EC the rest of the frame, sprinting into the halftime break with 10 consecutive points and a 36-21 advantage. It would be this second double-digit run by the Beavers that would ultimately foil the Red Devils' hopes for a signature road victory to the season, though EC would not be completely vanquished until late in the game.

Byard reasserted herself early in the second half, putting in six points in the first two minutes of the period. Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) dropped in a three-pointer as well for a quick 9-0 spurt that pulled the Red Devils within 36-30.

Eureka went on to cut the Blackburn lead down to six points three more times, but never could get any closer. Leesa Statler's (Marietta, Ill./Bushnell-Prairie City) put-back after an offensive rebound at the 13:10 mark brought Eureka within six (45-39) for the last time. Blackburn responded with a 12-3 surge that opened up the largest lead of the night at 57-42.

Byard made it 57-47 with two free throws, but the defenses dominated the final 7:45 of the contest as a total of just nine points were scored. Unfortunately for Eureka, seven belonged to Blackburn, which set the final at 64-49.

Byard reached 20 points in a game for the third time this season and second time in four SLIAC conference games. Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS) sank three triples on her way to her third consecutive double digit point total of 15. Snopek finished with 10 points and four assists. Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS) led Eureka with five assists and two blocked shots. Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) secured seven rebounds.

There were a total of 17 free throw attempts in the game despite Eureka averaging over 51 attempts per game going into the night. The Red Devils were a perfect 6-for-6 at the line. It marked the first time Eureka shot 100 percent on free throws in a game since going 7-for-7 against Benedictine on January 17, 2004, a span of 125 games.

Blackburn was led in scoring by Amanda Johnson, who accounted for 15 points after halftime to finish with 21. Sierra Shipley, who had 15 points in the first half, ended with 19 points and 10 boards. The two benches managed just two points apiece. The opposing sides also tied in rebounds (31) and assists (11).

Eureka will return home to face off against Principia College in a desperation SLIAC game Saturday, January 10 at 1:00 pm. Principia, picked to finish fifth in the preseason, is off to an 0-3 start in league play. Eureka has taken the last three meetings over the Panthers.

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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