Michaela Balducci Named SLIAC Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Eureka College senior forward Michaela Balducci (Eureka, Ill./Eureka H.S.) has been chosen as the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week, according to an announcement from the league office, Monday afternoon. Balducci averaged 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and shot 78 percent from the floor in two league wins last week.

Balducci didn't miss a shot attempt in Eureka's 81-39 win at Blackburn last Wednesday. She went 5-for-5 from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 from the foul line en route to 18 points in just 17 minutes of action. She followed that effort with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the Red Devils' 76-60 win at Spalding, EC's first over the Golden Eagles in Louisville since Jan. 4, 2012.

She shot 14-for-18 overall for the week. The two-game effort from Balducci helped the Red Devils begin the SLIAC portion of their schedule with a 2-0 record.

Balducci is Eureka's first SLIAC Player of the Week recipient since Emily Camden won the honor on Feb. 15 of last season. Monday's announcement marks the second SLIAC Player of the Week award of her career after previously earning the recognition on Nov. 26, 2015.

The Red Devils will take a break from league action for their next contest, a 5 p.m. tip-off on Monday, Dec. 12 at University Athletic Association member Chicago. The Maroons are 5-1 overall and ranked 25th nationally in the Nov. 28 d3hoops.com poll.