Red Devils Run Past Knox, 83-56

GALESBURG, ILL. — The Eureka men's basketball team bounced back with a dominant 83-56 victory over Knox Saturday night.

The Red Devils shot 47 percent from the floor, hit eight 3-pointers and forced 17 turnovers as they took care of Knox for the second consecutive year at Tim Heimann Memorial Court. 

From the opening tip, Eureka never trailed. The Red Devils took control of the game with a 24-6 run to start it off; a jumper by Austin Juergens (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) put them up 18 with 10:40 left in the first half. They led by as many as 34 late in the second half.

Fourteen Red Devils checked into the game, including five of whom found the floor for the first time this season. 

Three players finished in double figures: Dakota Bennington (Peroia, Ill./Peoria Christian) had a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor and 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Juergens followed with 19 points and seven rebounds, and junior transfer Ian Milsteadt (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria/Illinois Central College) rounded them out with 18 points and a team-high eight boards. 

Sophomore Jalen Hosea (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) chipped in five points, while dishing out five assists. 

Starter Jaedon Banks (Peoria, Ill./Peoria Heights) contributed six rebounds to go with three blocks, while Kyler Stork (Normal, Ill./Normal West) added six points off the bench.

Wes Jolly led the Prairie Fire with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.  

On Wednesday, the Red Devils' (2-1) will be back at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena, when they take on Grinnell (0-2) at 7 p.m.