Red Devils Blitz Principia, 72-46

EUREKA – Eureka maneuvered its way back into the win column Saturday afternoon in a 72-46 non-conference victory over Principia at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena. Samantha Sarnes (Havana, Ill./Havana H.S.) scored a game-high 19 points, one of four Red Devils to reach double figures.

Sarnes also equaled a career high with seven rebounds and distributed three assists. Josie Morgan (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) had 16 points, five assists and five steals and Kennedy Dura recorded 12 points, eight assists and five steals.

Sierrah Seals (East Peoria, Ill./Metamora H.S.) chipped in with 10 points and Ashley Harfst (Saunemin, Ill./Pontiac H.S.) pulled down 10 rebounds.

Principia put the Red Devils on their heels early, claiming a 10-6 lead on two Anna Webster free throws midway through the first quarter. The hosts answered by scoring 10 of the next 12 points, took the lead for good on Dura's jumper in the final minute of the period and led 16-12 after 10 minutes.

Eureka started to pull away late in the half, scoring six straight points to close the period and taking its largest lead of the first 20 minutes when Sarnes drilled a trey for a 32-21 cushion.

The Panthers were back within 10 shortly after halftime, but the Red Devils ultimately put the game out of reach with a burst of 15 unanswered points that culminated in a 60-33 advantage on a layup from Seals with 9:42 left in the game. Eureka led by as many as 34 points at the 4:08 mark of the fourth quarter after Harfst's field goal for a 72-38 lead.

Eureka will return to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule Wednesday in a 5:30 tip-off at Fontbonne in St. Louis, Mo.