|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
For Immediate Releaseeureka, illinois
February 12, 2009
Come on Downs: EC steals record tied in 62-45 win over LCC
Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS) tied a Eureka College record with 11 steals and Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) set career-highs in both points and assists as the Red Devils cruised past visiting Lincoln Christian College, 62-45, Thursday night. Eureka has now won twice at home this season, both times by 17 points.
The Red Devils (3-18) forced 30 Lincoln Christian (3-16) turnovers en route to 23 steals. Downs accounted for seven of Eureka's nine steals in the second half, including her 11th of the game with 1:27 to play. She helped convert them into a 26-12 EC advantage in points off turnovers by leading the break and scoring 12 points herself. It was Down's first career double-double in her 72nd career game.
Downs was not the only Red Devil to record a first career double-double, though. Snopek sliced through the Angels defense with passes and shots of her own to the tune of 18 points and 10 assists. Both register as career-highs for Snopek, who scored 14 of her points in the first half. She also matched her previous best with five steals.
Not to be outdone, Eureka's Leesa Statler (Marietta, Ill./Bushnell-Prairie City), who is listed at 5-5, came off the bench to lead all players in the game with a career-high 10 rebounds in just 23 minutes. She helped the Red Devils to a 39-32 edge on the boards.
The Red Devils scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back. Lincoln Christian closed to within 8-4 only to see Eureka explode on a 17-2 flurry in which Snopek scored seven points, including a three-pointer with 6:17 left in the half that put EC ahead 25-6.
However, the story of the game was the Eureka first half defense. The Red Devils allowed the Angels just 17 percent (4-for-23) field goal shooting and nine points in the opening frame as they raced out to a 36-9 cushion at intermission. It was the first time Eureka had held a team to single digits at halftime of a game since January 13, 2000 when Lincoln Christian had eight first half points versus EC.
Eureka went inside to Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS), who connected on field goals twice early in the second half to give Eureka its largest lead of the season at 31 points (42-11) with 17:40 remaining. The Red Devils were able to maintain a comfortable margin throughout the half, especially after a 10-3 spurt made the score 59-29 with 4:07 left. The Angels closed the game by tallying 16 of the game's final 19 points to outscore Eureka 36-26 after halftime.
Snopek (18) and Downs (12) were joined in double figures in points by Byard with 11. Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS) added seven, while Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) bagged six points and seven boards. Eureka enjoyed advantages of 38-14 in points in the paint and 13-0 in bench scoring.
Downs became the fourth Red Devil ever to record 11 steals in a game. She joined Sherry Bryan (1985-86), Terese Raum (1990-91) and Jamie While (1993-94) at the top of the record book. Down's previous career-high for steals was seven set last season.
Jessica Schmidgall scored 17 points to lead Lincoln Christian. The Angels shot 44 percent in the second half to finish at 32 percent for the game. They made five three-pointers becoming the 21st consecutive opponent to outscore the Red Devils, who sank two treys, from the three-point line.
The Red Devils will return to conference play Saturday, February 14 with a 1:00 pm tip-off versus Maryville University. The Saints have had some close calls recently, but are in first place in the league, having won an NCAA record 88 consecutive regular season conference games. Maryville took the first meeting over Eureka 91-56 on January 3 in St. Louis.
###
For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
|
|---|
|
|---|
