Red Devils defeat Beavers at home, 61-50

EUREKA - The Eureka women's basketball team came away from Wednesday night with an impressive 11 point victory over Blackburn College.

After trailing 45-34 early in the 4th quarter, the Red Devils scored 26 points unanswered on their way to their second victory over the Beavers in less than two weeks. The win improves the Red Devils to 2-2 in conference play and 4-5 overall.

Scrappy defensive efforts and physicality in the paint paved the way for the hard-fought win, as EC put up 14 second chance points, compared to Blackburn's 0, and tallied 22 points off turnovers, compared to Blackburn's 12.   

Josie Ness (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich) and Nevaeh Essien (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central) dominated the battle on the boards, both contributing standout performances on the night. Ness came away from the game with 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks, leading the team in all three categories. Essien contrbiuted a season-high 12 points from the bench, with 12 rebounds to match.

Eureka's Makayla Rosenbery (Mahomet, Ill./Mahomet-Seymour) also played a significant role in the come from behind win. Rosenbery made a few key defensive plays down the stretch, being credited with 4 steals and helping to force a few other turnovers. She did her fair share of damage offensively as well, finishing the night with 13 points.

Ashley Wilcox (Hudson, Ill./Normal West) continued her impressive freshman campaign with 11 points and 10 rebounds. And, Avery Seidel (Wayne City, Ill./Wayne City/Lincoln Christian) chipped in five points.

Tonight's win marks the first time this decade that the Red Devils (4-5, 2-2 SLIAC) will head into winter break with 4 or more wins. They will hope to improve this to 5, as they host Wisconsin-River Falls this Sunday (Dec. 17) at 1:00 PM in the Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center in a nonconference competition.