Feehan brothers shoot Eureka to conference victory
EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College men's basketball brothers Sam Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame [Illinois Central]) and Shea Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame [Lewis]) combined for 43 points, leading the Red Devils to an 83-75 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over the Blackburn Beavers, Saturday afternoon in front of a packed Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center.
The men are now 6-0 at home, the best start in the Chip Wilde era and best since the 1993-94 NAIA National Championship team.
Eureka improved to 6-9 this season and 4-4 in conference while the Beavers fall to 4-11 overall and 3-5 in the SLIAC.
The Red Devils trailed by four early in the contest before taking a 7-6 lead with 15:29 left in the half. After exchanging baskets, Blackburn built a slight three point cushion aided by back-to-back baskets from Jake Maestranzi.
A back-and-fourth affair would ensue until the 5-minute mark of the first half when the host extended their lead to nine (44-35) at intermission behind a 12-4 run to close out the half.
Early in the second half EC's edge swelled to double-digits, but the Beavers sliced the deficit to 53-51 with 12:26 remaining in the game. The Red Devils would not let Blackburn get any closer, building a 67-55 lead with 6:08 left and holding on to the advantage until time expired.
The Beavers were led by Chris Davis and Jake Maestranzi who had 17 and 15 points, respectively, with Davis scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half.
EC held a 42-39 rebounding advantage over Blackburn, including a 34-31 edge on the defensive glass. For the game, Eureka assisted on 16 of 25 made baskets.
Former Eureka College men's basketball head coach and national champion Dave Darnall was honored at halftime of the men's game for his service and commitment to the school. The newly renovated basketball court bears his name and was officially named the Dave Darnall Basketball Court.
Eureka College Statistics, Leaders
Field Goal Percentage -.463 (25-54)
3-Point Field Goal Percentage - .333 (5-15)
Free Throw Percentage - .651 (28-43)
Sam Feehan (24 points, 8 rebounds)
Parker Gibson (14 points, 8 rebounds)
Shea Feehan (19 points)
Blackburn College Statistics, Leaders
Field Goal Percentage - .426 (29-68)
3-Point Field Goal Percentage - .350 (7-20)
Free Throw Percentage - .625 (10-16)
Davis (17 points, 6 rebounds)
Maestranzi (15 points, 3 assists)
DeAndre Manuel (11 points, 7 rebounds)
What's Next?
Eureka plays the latter of a two-game homestand Wednesday when the Greenville Panthers come to town. Tip-off of the conference tilt is set for 8 p.m.