Red Devils Drop Home Opener Against Knox

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka women's basketball team fell behind early in their home opener against Knox and couldn't recover, losing 101-70.

Knox controlled the game from the start, jumping out to an early 9-0 lead in the first quarter before the Red Devils scored their first basket of the evening. By the end of the first quarter, the Prairie Fire had extended their lead to 29-12. Knox carried that momentum into the second quarter, outscoring Eureka 29-15 to take a 31-point lead into halftime.

The Red Devils gained some momentum in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 23 points on a layup by Elena Redgate (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) with just under 5 minutes remaining. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter, which ended with Knox leading by 25.

Eureka started the fourth quarter strong when Brin Hultz (Quincy, Ill./Quincy) hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 22. However, that would be as close as the Red Devils would get for the remainder of the game, as they fell 101-70.

HIGHLIGHTS

• For the second consecutive game, Maxine Najera (Riverside, Calif./Hillcrest) led the Red Devils in scoring with 16 points. She also contributed 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists.
• Brin Hultz finished as the Red Devils' second-leading scorer with 11 points.
• Alyssa Zarello (Bushnell, Ill./Bushnell) added 6 points and 6 rebounds off the bench for Eureka.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils (1-1) will be on the road this weekend to face Elmhurst (3-0) on Sunday, Nov. 24. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.