Big Blue pull away late for 63-57 non-conference victory over Eureka

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College women's basketball junior forward Michaela Balducci (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) picked up her third consecutive double-double of the season, but the visiting Millikin Big Blue pulled in front late for a 63-57 non-conference victory, Tuesday night in the Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center.

EC senior guard Emily Camden (Green Valley, Ill./Midwest Central) led Eureka in scoring with 13 points and junior guard Luci Weis (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) chipped in 12 points. Sophomore guard Kerrigan Dura (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield) pulled down eight rebounds, six offensive, and tallied six assists. Freshman forward Rachel Pouliot (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) connected on her first collegiate basket in the contest.

MU's Alyssa Saklak tallied a game-high 19 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the field and secured 16 rebounds to notch a double-double. The Big Blue committed 18 turnovers to Eureka's 15, but outrebounded the Red Devils 51-38, including 17 offensive rebounds.

Balducci tied her career-highs in rebounds (13) and steals (8), while dishing a career-best seven assists.

Eureka College Statistics, Leaders
Field Goal Percentage – .354 (23-65)
3-Point Field Goal Percentage - .147 (5-34)
Free Throw Percentage - .462 (6-13)
Balducci (10 points, 13 rebounds, 8 steals, 7 assists)
Dura (6 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists)
Camden (13 points)
 
Millikin University Statistics, Leaders
Field Goal Percentage - .371 (23-62)
3-Point Field Goal Percentage - .091 (1-11)
Free Throw Percentage - .571 (16-28)
Saklak (19 points, 16 rebounds)
Alex Capeles (17 points, 2 assists, 2 blocks)
Yanni Saddler (6 points, 7 rebounds)
 
What's Next?
Eureka will embark on their first road trip of the season after the Thanksgiving holiday with a contests against Division-I Bradley University. Saturday's matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill.