Red Devils Force Overtime but Fall 75-67 to MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The Eureka men's basketball team rallied from a late deficit to force overtime, but ultimately fell 75-67 to MUW on the road Saturday afternoon.

Eureka began the first half with an early lead. Peewee Brown's (Peoria, Ill./Manual) layup at and a successful free throw from Ben Carter (Morton, Ill./Morton), put them ahead 3-0. Emaryon Byrd (Peoria, Ill./Manual) contributed significantly with a layup to give the Red Devils a 5-2 lead, and later tied the game at 21-21 with another layup. Despite the Red Devils' efforts, including a 3-pointer by Sam DeJesus (Delavan, Ill./Delavan), the Owls managed to pull ahead by the end of the half, leading 27-23.

In the second half, the Red Devils demonstrated resilience by fighting back from a late deficit. Jacob Gonzalez (Los Angeles, Calif./Chatsworth Charter) made a significant impact, contributing with a layup at the start of the half and delivering key rebounds throughout the half. Peewee Brown was active offensively, scoring multiple times including a fast-break layup with just over a minute remaining to cut the Owls' lead to 57-51. With 21 seconds remaining, Eureka used a timeout and still trailed by 4 points. Out of the timeout, Emaryon Byrd was able to come down with a crucial offensive rebound, which he followed up with a layup to make it a single possession game. Eureka sent MUW to the free throw line with 11 seconds remaining, where the Owls missed the front end of a 1 and 1. Byrd pulled down the rebound and went the length of the floor to tie the game with 5 seconds remaining and force overtime.

Despite a late rally from the Red Devils, who overcame a 9-point deficit with less than 2 minutes left to force overtime, they couldn't maintain their momentum in the extra period, scoring just 9 points compared to the Owls' 17. Emaryon Byrd contributed with free throws and a layup, but Eureka struggled with fouls and turnovers as MUW defeated the Red Devils 75-67.

Emaryon Byrd led the team with 20 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field, and recorded his 9th double-double of the season with 12 rebounds. Peewee Brown contributed significantly with 16 points, hitting 7 of 9 field goal attempts. Micah Bruer (Washington, Ill./Washington) added 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils return home on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. to take on Fontbonne.