Blackburn Holds on To Clip Eureka, 92-90

CARLINVILLE, Ill. – Eureka College sophomore Shea Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.) continued his early-season scoring spree with 36 points, but Blackburn claimed a second-half lead and eventually survived a frantic final possession from the Red Devils to escape with a 92-90 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win, Wednesdaynight in Carlinville, Ill.

Trailing 92-90, Eureka had two looks at what would have been a game-winning 3-pointer, but both attempts were unsuccessful.

Feehan was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line for the Red Devils, who led 48-38 at halftime thanks to a 20-for-33 team shooting effort.

Junior Kendall Davis (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S./Illinois Central) put together another large offensive contribution with 25 points, while sophomore Hank Thomas (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods H.S.) scored 14 points. Sophomore Alex Wiegand (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) hauled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

Six Beavers finished the contest with double-digit points totals, led by a 20-point showing from DeAndre Manuel. The Beavers shot 46 percent for the game, including a 54-percent (21-for-39) performance in the second half.

Wednesday's game represented the SLIAC opener for both teams.The defeat ended Eureka's longest unbeaten stretch to begin a regular season (5-0) since the 1986-87 Red Devils opened 10-0 for Hall of Fame head coach Dave Darnall. Wednesday's decision also snapped a nine-game EC win streak that dated back to February of last season.

The Red Devils will try again for their first league victory on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Spalding in Louisville, Ky.