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For Immediate Releaseelsah, illinois
February 7, 2009
Last second 3-pointer denies eureka upset of principia
For a season inundated with near misses, this one takes the cake. At least, one would hope the Eureka College Red Devils will not suffer a more deflating loss than Saturday's 62-59 defeat at Principia College the rest of this season, or ever.
The Red Devils (2-17, 2-10 SLIAC) seemed poised to put an end to Principia's (8-12, 5-7 SLIAC) late season surge and St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff hopes for most of the game. Eureka scored the first six points, and held the lead until 1:46 remained in the contest when the Panthers tied the game at 55.
The score was again tied at 59 as Eureka took over possession following a jump ball with the length of the court to go and 2.8 seconds showing on the clock. Principia's Christina Speer then intercepted the long in-bounds pass beyond half-court, and whipped a long pass to Sara McDaniel, who spun around and threw in a three-pointer from the top of the key just before the buzzer giving the Panthers an improbable 62-59 victory. McDaniel, who had managed just five made three-pointers in Principia's 19 previous games on the season, went 2-for-2 behind the arc on the day against EC, including the game-winner.
For a Eureka squad that out-rebounded the Panthers 47-34, showed superb defense in holding Principia to 31 percent shooting (17-for-55), and led by as many as 12 points in the second half, it was the most difficult loss to stomach this season. That is certainly saying something considering the Red Devils are now 1-7 in games decided by eight points or less.
Eureka blitzed Principia in the opening half, running out to a 34-22 advantage at intermission. The Red Devils put in 12 second chance points thanks to a 28-12 rebounding advantage. It was a surprising first half turn-around for EC, which was out-rebounded in its previous game in the first half by Webster 31-12. Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) converted 6-of-9 field goal attempts for 12 points before halftime. She also grabbed six boards to tie her season-high for an entire game.
Speer accounted for 15 of Principia's 22 first half points, with seven of them coming at the foul line. Speer sinking free throws would be the theme of the day as she paraded to the stripe 17 times in the game, making 16. In fact, she alone made twice as many free throws as the entire Eureka team attempted.
Principia canned a pair of three-pointers early in the second half to put some pressure on Eureka, which enjoyed its second largest halftime lead of the season. Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./HS) helped EC keep a double-digit lead by scoring seven points in the first four minutes after the break.
Eureka was still in fine position, up 53-44 with 6:37 to play following a layup bu Knight, but the Red Devils went the next three minutes without a point, allowing Principia to spring back to life with a 7-0 rally. Knight came back with the last of her team-leading 17 points, staking Eureka to a 55-51 lead with 3:25 left.
However, the Principia free throw procession was not to be stopped. The Panthers sank four freebies over their next three possessions, including two by Speer with 1:46 remaining to tie the count at 55.
Eureka's top offensive threat, Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS), was uncharacteristically held in check for most of the game, but she turned in some clutch plays down the stretch. Crum was fouled with 1:35 to play and made both free throws, lifting EC to a 57-55 edge. Then after the Panthers had forged their first lead on the day following four more free throws, Crum hit a jumper from the lane to tie the game at 59 with 47 seconds to play.
Snopek, who took away four steals in the game, saved two for the final minute to deny Principia twice when going for a potential game-winning shot. Her steal with 38 seconds to go put Eureka in position for to win the game, but a five second call turned it back over to Principia with 18 seconds on the clock. Before the Panthers could get a shot off, Snopek dove to the ground to force a jump ball, which set up the infamous final play with 2.8 seconds left.
Knight recorded her sixth double-double of the season as she pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds to go with her 17 points. She was not the only Red Devil with a double-double though, as Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS) had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Snopek finished with 14 points, while Crum had nine points and three assists.
The Red Devils shot 37 percent (26-for-70) from the field. They set a season-high for field goal attempted (70), but shot just eight free throws, making six. It was just the second game all season Eureka had attempted fewer than 15 foul shots. Meanwhile, Principia made 25-of-28 at the line (89 percent) for the third most made free throws by a Eureka opponent this season.
Speer led Principia with 28 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and five blocked shots. McDaniel was the only other Panther in double figures with 10. Principia was 17-for-17 at the line in the second half.
Eureka will open a three-game homestand next week when SLIAC rival Blackburn College comes to town for a 6:00 tip-off on Wednesday, February 11. Blackburn has won eight of its last 10 games to move into third place in the league standings. Eureka dropped a 64-49 at Blackburn on January 7.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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