For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

December 3, 2008

young red devils hang tough to start sLIAC play

Boxscore

Eureka's hard luck in close games continued in the SLIAC conference opener versus rival Greenville College as the Panthers handed the Red Devils a tough loss by the count of 47-40. Eureka has been within four points in the final two minutes in three out of four games played this season, but is yet to pull one out.

Neither side was able to connect from 15 feet and beyond and were forced to take contested shots in the paint. With both squads also doing well protecting their defensive backboard, the game was a defensive struggle the entire way.

Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS) quickly put in the first two field goal attempts for Eureka (0-4, 0-1 SLIAC) as the Red Devils jumped out to a 6-0 lead. That is where the score stayed for almost six minutes until Liz Greger (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA) gave EC the largest lead either side would enjoy on the night at 8-0. Although the partisan crowd was happy with the eight point lead, they soon found out that the Red Devils had missed their chance to bury the Panthers under a large deficit.

Greenville (3-2, 1-0 SLIAC) finally got on the scoreboard at the 10:46 mark of the half on a jumper by LaVasha Kottwitz. The Panthers eventually tied the game at 8-8, though Eureka went back up by four thanks to a pair of steals and break-away lay ups by Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS). Greenville held EC without a field goal over the final three minutes, however, and took its first lead at 17-16 with 1:46 left in the frame. The Panthers went on to a 20-17 advantage at the intermission.

Another reason for the low score was foul trouble. Three Panthers picked up two fouls in the first half, while Eureka had two key offensive threats, Byard and Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) hampered with three each. Seven players would end the night with either four or five fouls.

After receiving more rest than usual in the first half, Byard came out with a flurry after halftime. She sank two foul shots and added a lay up soon after to keep Eureka close. Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) later scored seven consecutive EC points to give the Red Devils their only lead of the half at 28-26 with 11:28 to go.

Despite being outscored 11-6 to begin the half, Greenville did not fall victim to the Eureka comeback. Returning All-SLIAC First Team honoree Meredith Banal, who had missed a short time in the first half due to injury, pulled the Panthers off the mat when they needed it most. She connected on two baseline jumpers, then another from straight on giving Greenville a 32-28 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Banal wound up scoring 11 of the Panthers' 27 points in the second half, but it did not keep the Red Devils, who got 12 points after halftime from Knight, from forcing a tie late in the game. Knight put in a jumper to get Eureka within 38-37, then Snopek tied the game with a free throw with 1:32 on the clock.

A key play in the game occurred just after the made foul shot as Downs was whistled for a loose ball foul after diving to the floor. Banal made one out of two free throws with 1:24 left and Greenville held the lead from there. The Panthers went 6-for-6 at the line in the final 31 seconds to build their largest lead of the game at seven.

Eureka had four players grab at least seven boards en route to out-rebounding Greenville 46-38. Knight finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Byard recorded 10 points and nine caroms and Greger had seven points and seven rebounds. The only non-first-year player on the list was senior Kim Downs, who had eight rebounds, five steals, four blocks and four points.

Banal led all players with 15 points, but Eureka held the three starting guards in the Greenville lineup to 6-for-25 shooting. The Panthers shot just 29 percent (16-for-56) overall, but forced 33 turnovers to overcome it.

Greenville and Eureka will again be in action twice this weekend at the Reagan Center, though not against each other, in the EC Classic. On Friday, December 5, Greenville plays Carthage at 5:30 and the Red Devils take on Robert Morris-Springfield at 7:30. Greenville then matches up with RMC-Springfield Saturday at 2:00 pm and EC will battle Carthage at 4:00 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