Red Devils Secure Convincing Win Over Mount Mary
EUREKA, Ill. - The Eureka women's basketball team led from start to finish, securing a dominant 81-37 victory over Mount Mary on Friday evening.
In the first quarter, the Red Devils established an early lead against the Blue Angels with Miya Webb (Indianapolis, Ind./Brownsburg) scoring the initial basket, assisted by Allannah Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria). Eureka's defense was effective, forcing the Blue Angels into multiple turnovers, with Alyssa Abascal (El Paso, Texas/El Dorado) contributing two steals in quick succession, leading to fast-break points. Despite some shooting struggles, Eureka capitalized on offensive rebounds, with Elena Redgate (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) and Maxine Najera (Riverside, Calif./Hillcrest) both securing multiple second-chance opportunities. Brin Hultz (Quincy, Ill./Quincy) closed the quarter strong for Eureka, scoring a 3-pointer followed by a layup, contributing to their 22-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Red Devils' defense was strong, forcing the Blue Angels into eight turnovers. Eureka capitalized on these opportunities, with Maxine Najera scoring a layup at 6:30, pushing their lead to 26-8. Najera's performance was notable as she achieved her 8th consecutive game scoring in double digits. Eureka maintained control throughout the quarter, leading by as much as 46-18 towards the end of the quarter. Miya Webb and Alyssa Abascal contributed with key defensive plays and fast break points, helping Eureka outscore Mount Mary 24-10 in the quarter.
In the third quarter, the Red Devils dominated the Blue Angels, outscoring them 19-4. A key moment occurred when Maxine Najera contributed a defensive rebound and followed it with a tip-in at 8:30, extending Eureka's lead. Miya Webb and Sierra Garcia-Reisch (Las Animas, Colo./La Junta) each added fast-break layups, further boosting Eureka's advantage. Mount Mary struggled offensively, failing to score a basket in the quarter, with Sanai Ballard's free throws at 5:00 providing their only points until the closing minutes.
In the fourth quarter, the Red Devils and the Blue Angels engaged in a competitive stretch with Eureka edging out Mount Mary 16-15 in the quarter. Early on, Isabel Ramirez (Tonopah, Ariz./Buckeye Union) of Eureka capitalized on a turnover with a steal at the 10:00 mark, leading to a fast break opportunity. Na'Zyia Bobo of Mount Mary responded with a 3-pointer and a successful layup, narrowing the gap but not overtaking Eureka's lead. Throughout the quarter, both teams committed a series of fouls and turnovers, but Eureka maintained control, aided by key offensive rebounds from Cadence Geiser (Bloomington, Ill./Tri-Valley) and Isabel Ramirez. Eureka's Katie Haffner (Lake Camelot, Ill./Illini Bluffs) contributed with a late-game layup to secure the quarter's scoring advantage.
Alyssa Abascal led the Red Devils with an impressive performance, scoring 9 points and recording 7 steals, making her a key defensive asset. Sierra Garcia-Reisch also made significant contributions with 7 points and 3 steals, demonstrating her effectiveness on both ends of the court. Allannah Jackson showcased her defensive skills by leading the team with 2 blocks, contributing to the team's overall defensive efforts. Brin Hultz tied with Maxine Najera as the team's leading scorer, each posting 10 points and providing a strong offensive presence.
GAME NOTES
- This victory marked Eureka's largest win over Mount Mary since December 2, 2009.
- The 81 points scored were the second most by Eureka this season.
UP NEXT
The Red Devils' (4-4, 2-1) next game will be at home against Monmouth (4-4, 1-1) on December 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Following their recent victory, the team will look to continue their winning momentum at home.