Greenville's up-tempo style too much for Eureka

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College men's basketball senior Sam Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame [Illinois Central]) poured in a season-high 33 points, but the offensive output wasn't enough to keep up with Greenville's up-tempo offense who pulled away in the second half to take a 121-112 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory, Wednesday night inside the Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center.

The loss ends a six-game home winning streak to start the season for Eureka and moves their record to 6-10 overall and 4-5 in conference action. The Panthers improve to 6-10 and 5-4 in league play. The 133 combined points topped the old EC mark of 215, set in 2000 when Eureka fell at Monmouth, 108-107. Eureka's 112 points are the most points scored in Chip Wilde's tenure at EC.

Eureka scored 64 of their points in the lane and received 39 points from bench players. Including Sam Feehan, five Red Devils scored in double-figures. Freshman guard Shea Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame [Lewis]) provided 20, classmate Hank Thomas (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) added 17, senior Tommy Goulding (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora [Aurora]) had 16 and junior Parker Gibson (Pontiac, Ill./Pontiac [St. John's NW Military]) chipped in 10.

The Red Devils outrebounded the Panthers, 47-44, and Shea Feehan led the way with a season-high nine. The younger Feehan also dished nine assists in 34 minutes of action off the bench.

Eureka held on to a 52-51 lead at the 1:51 mark in the first half, their final lead of the night, before the visitor's closed out with a 7-3 push.

Greenville used a 9-0 run to start the second half and set the tone for the final half of play. The Panther's lead reached as high as 23 at the 8:17 mark before Eureka battled back to pull within single digits as time expired.

The Panthers forced the issue with their up-tempo style and made 20 steals as the Red Devils committed 24 turnovers. Greenville got 20 points from Tim Daniel and 19 points out of Daniel Saeli.

What's Next?
The Red Devils will hit the road Saturday and head to Elsah, Ill. for a 3 p.m. scheduled matchup against the Principia Panthers.