Successful Exhibition Tour to Canada for Men’s Basketball

The Eureka men's basketball team completed a two-game, three-day international trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada over Labor Day weekend.

The Red Devils defeated George Brown College, 60-59, Saturday, Sept. 5 and lost to York University, 95-59, Sunday, Sept. 6. Saturday's,game ended at the 4:38 mark of the fourth quarter due to condensation on the floor. Sophomore Austin Ahnafield hit a 10-footer as the shot clock expired to give Eureka its first lead since the second quarter and the win. The previously agreed upon fifth quarter was also canceled due to the floor conditions. Senior guard Tommy Goulding led the team with 17 points.

On Sunday, the Red Devils played all 19 players over the course of the 40 minute contest and addition quarter. The game was closely contested through much of the first half and the Lions used a late second quarter run to lead by 15 at the half. Senior guard Greg Kent led the team with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. In the fifth quarter, York defeated Eureka 27-23. Freshman guard Hank Thomas led the Red Devils with 11 points in 10 minutes.

The trip was also a great first time experience for players and coaches, as over half the team had never been to Canada and almost everyone had never been to Toronto. Friday night, the team made it to Detroit, Michigan where they stayed for one night. Saturday morning the team shoot around took place at Wayne State University, a Division II school in downtown Detroit. From there, the team drove to Toronto for an 8 p.m. EST,start against George Brown College.

The trip was not without its obstacles, as the game had to be pushed back an hour due to a flat tire (thankfully suffered in Michigan and Canada). Once the team got back on the road, it recovered to get to the gym an hour before the new start time and gathered themselves enough to get the win.

Sunday night was time to explore the city for a few hours, as players and coaches went to local restaurants, the Rogers Center and the CN Tower.

On the way home Monday the team stopped in Ann Arbor, Michigan and had the opportunity to tour Crisler Arena and Michigan Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan. The team was allowed onto the field at the "Big House" and able to see a court-less gym in Crisler.

Overall, the team drove over 1,450 miles and 24 hours in the two shuttle buses that carried them to and from the games.

The team opens the season on Friday, Nov. 13 at Rockford College and the first home game at the new Reagan Center gym is Tuesday, Nov. 17 vs. Emmaus Bible School at, 7:30 p.m.