Eureka Stays Perfect in SLIAC, Routs Blackburn, 84-32

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College junior guard Hayley Reneau (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S./Illinois Central) scored a game-high 19 points, one of five Red Devils to reach double figures, helping EC improve to 8-0 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action with an 84-32 league win over Blackburn, Saturday night at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.

The 52-point margin of victory was Eureka's largest in a SLIAC game since joining the league prior to the 2006-07 season. It was the biggest win overall since a 90-37 triumph over Lincoln Christian on Feb. 8, 2012.

Additionally, Eureka extended its season-opening SLIAC win streak to eight games, the longest for the Red Devils since earning 10 consecutive conference victories from Jan. 10, 2012 through Feb. 11, 2012.

The victory also allowed EC to maintain a three-game lead in the loss column of the current league standings. With eight conference games remaining, Eureka's magic number (combination of Eureka victories and Spalding losses) to clinch a league tournament bid is five.

Eureka roared to a 9-0 lead just 77 seconds into Saturday's game. The lead swelled to 20-6 after the first quarter and 40-13 at intermission.

All 11 players made an appearance for the Red Devils and logged at least 10 minutes of action. Junior guard Kerrigan Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) didn't score, but set a new personal high with 10 assists in only 23 minutes. She didn't commit a turnover. Reneau had six steals.

Freshman guard Ashley Harfst (Saunemin, Ill./Pontiac H.S.) gave EC a career-high 16 points off the bench. Junior Luci Weis (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community H.S.) and freshman Kennedy Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) tacked on 12 apiece, and senior Michaela Balducci (Eureka, Ill./Eureka H.S.) scored 10. Freshman Abigail Hilton (Moweaqua, Ill./Central A&M) pulled down a personal-best 10 rebounds.

Eureka will try to make it 9-0 in conference action this Thursday when Spalding visits for a 6 p.m. start at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena. The Red Devils earned a 76-60 win over the Golden Eagles last month in Louisville.