Posted: Nov 19, 2016
Eureka Routs RMU-Peoria at Midnight Madness, 79-54
EUREKA, Ill. -- The Eureka College women's basketball team opened the campaign 2-0 for the first time since 2012-13 season after earning a 79-54 victory over USCAA Robert Morris-Peoria, Saturday morning at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.
Saturday's 12 a.m. tipoff was scheduled as the highlight of Eureka's second annual Midnight Madness event.
Eureka scored just six seconds into the game and led for the remainder of the contest. A 3-pointer from freshman Kennedy Dura (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) at the 5:15 mark of the first quarter netted the Red Devils' first double-digit cushion of the game, 17-6.
The EC lead was 50-22 at halftime. The hosts shot 58 percent (18-for-31) in the first half.
Junior Hayley Reneau (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S./Illinois Central) led the Red Devils with 14 points and eight rebounds. Junior Kerrigan Dura (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) tacked on 12 and Kennedy Dura ended the contest with 11. Freshman Abigail Hilton (Moweaqua, Ill./Central A&M) logged 10 points off the bench. All 14 available Red Devils logged at least six minutes and 12 different Red Devils scored.
Karlisa Marris scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Eagles. RMU-Peoria dressed only six players for the game, five of which logged at least 32 minutes.
Eureka's 25-point margin of victory was its largest in a non-conference bout since toppling Illinois Tech 86-44 on Nov. 22, 2014.
The Red Devils will have approximately 12 hours to prepare for their second game of the day when Rockford visits for a 2 p.m. tip-off at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena. EC will aim for its first 3-0 start since the 2012-13 campaign.
