For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

December 9, 2008

Eureka defense silences fontbonne for 17-point win

Boxscore

The Red Devils performance Tuesday night against conference rival Fontbonne University almost made the extra time needed for their first win worth the wait. After several close brushes with victory, Eureka College left little doubt this time, running over the Griffins in dominating fashion, 69-52, for Eureka's first win of the 2008-09 campaign.

Eureka (1-6, 1-1 SLIAC) allowed just 11 field goals and outscored Fontbonne (2-4, 1-1) 40-14 in the paint. The Griffins, who have never finished lower than fourth place in 18 years of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, came into the game averaging almost 77 points per contest. That was of little concern to the EC defense, which throttled the Fontbonne attack into 18 percent (11-for-60) field goal shooting and an icy 8 percent (2-25) from three-point territory.

Fontbonne enjoyed an early lead as both sides dug in defensively. The Griffins' largest lead was four points. The Red Devils took their first lead at the 10:20 mark of the first half after a pair of free throws by Liz Greger (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA). It was fitting for Greger to be the one to put EC ahead as she had her best game as a Red Devil. She recorded 17 points and nine rebounds, missing just one field goal attempt (7-for-8) in 24 minutes.

Fontbonne briefly regained a one-point edge, but Lanie Viti (Streator, Ill./Woodland) sank two free throws on the next possession to start a monumental 19-2 run that left EC with a 30-14 lead. Eureka surrendered just one Fontbonne field goal over the final 11:30 of the opening frame. Meanwhile, the Red Devils broke the Fontbonne pressure and stuffed the ball inside to Greger and Lisa Byard (Morton, Ill./HS), who delivered with 10 first half points each.

Already up 32-18 at the intermission, the Red Devils threatened to blow the game open with a strong start to the second half. The EC lead grew to 18 quickly and stayed at a comfortable margin as Byard put in eight points in just over four minutes to begin the frame.

Soon after, however, the Red Devils were whistled for their seventh foul, putting Fontbonne in the bonus with still more than 15 minutes to play. The Griffins never did get their offense in gear, but they effectively used the foul line to get back into the game. Fontbonne shot 91 percent (19-for-21) at the stripe in the second half and 85 percent (28-33) in the game.

Fontbonne connected on 13 free throws during a 19-5 rally that cut Eureka's 18 point lead to 48-45 with 8:07 remaining.

The young Red Devils refused to give in to the pressure though. They backed off by committing just two fouls defensively the rest of the way, and made several clutch plays on the offensive end as well. Byard made two free throws and Greger grabbed an offensive rebound for a put-back bucket to push the EC advantage back up to seven.

Later, EC got a pivotal three-point play from Lindsey Crum (Washington, Ill./HS), who beat the defense down the floor, eluded one defender and drew a foul on another while banking one in from the block. Lauren Snopek (Metamora, Ill./HS) led all players with seven assists on the night, including one on her three-quarter-court pass to Crum.

Fontbonne climbed back to within 56-50 with 5:21 on the clock, but the Red Devils took over from there, allowing just two points the rest of the way. Eureka quickly went back ahead by double figures en route to closing the contest on a 13-2 run.

Byard recorded her first collegiate double-double with 23 points and 10 boards. Eureka secured a 47-37 advantage in rebounds as four players grabbed seven or more. In addition to Byard's 10 and Greger's nine, Chantaivia Knight (Normal, Ill./University) had eight and Crum pulled down seven. She also had 11 points giving EC three in double digits. Eureka led in assists 16-4 as Kim Downs (Kewanee, Ill./HS) handed out five to go with Snopek's seven.

Katherine Kirby led Fontbonne with 15 points. Kendra Schilli led all players with 13 rebounds. The Griffins had won all four prior meetings with EC since Eureka joined the SLIAC.

The Red Devils will have some time for the taste of victory to sink in as they do not play again for 10 days. Their next contest is slated for Friday, December 19 at home versus Knox College at 7:30 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