Red Devils Dump Principia, 94-86
EUREKA, Ill. -- Eureka College junior guard Kendall Davis (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S./Illinois Central) produced game-highs of 26 points and 10 rebounds Saturday, helping the Red Devils continue their best start to a season in more than two decades in a 94-86 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win over Principia at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.
Neither team led by more than four points until Eureka used a 9-0 run to grab a 25-17 cushion at the 8:37 mark of the half. The EC advantage eventually ballooned to 10 (32-22) on a 3-point field goal from sophomore Shea Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.), but the visitors closed the gap over the final 4:40 of the half to trail at the break, 38-34.
The Red Devils (7-1, 2-1 SLIAC) promptly pushed their lead back to 10 on a bucket from Davis for a 44-34 cushion just 77 seconds into the second period. Moments later, Feehan's triple capped a quick 7-0 blitz from the hosts for a 51-36 margin with 17:11 left.
Principia (3-5, 2-2 SLIAC) got back within six (59-53) when Adaku Anumu scored with 13:03 remaining, but Eureka answered with baskets on four consecutive possessions to extend its advantage to 74-57 after another Feehan 3-pointer with 9:33 left.
The Eureka lead was as large as 18 (80-62), but the visitors made one final push in the last two minutes of the contest. A 3-point play from TreVaughn Goodman cut the PC deficit to 92-86 with 18 seconds left, but Eureka's Hank Thomas (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods H.S.) pushed down two free throws on the ensuing possession to set the final margin.
Davis logged his first double-double in a Eureka uniform with 26 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. He also led all players with five assists. Feehan added 22 points on a 6-for-10 effort from beyond the arc. Senior forward Parker Gibson (Pontiac, Ill./Pontiac H.S./St. John's NW Military Academy) compiled 15 points and Thomas gave the Red Devils four starters in double figures with 12 points.
Micah Paulson and Goodman scored 19 points apiece in the loss.
Eureka's 7-1 start is its best through eight games since the 1993-94 season.
The Red Devils will continue SLIAC action next Saturday against Webster at 3 p.m. in St. Louis.
