Eureka Clinches SLIAC Tournament Berth with Win Over MUW

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka women's basketball team secured a dominant 89-71 victory over MUW on Saturday, clinching a spot in the SLIAC tournament. With the win, the Red Devils moved into a tie for third place in the conference standings and now have a chance to secure a home playoff game with a win on Wednesday.

The Red Devils quickly took control in the opening quarter, when Miya Webb (Indianapolis, Ind./Brownsburg) opened the scoring with a three-pointer just 10 seconds in, setting the tone for the game. Both teams struggled with turnovers early, with Eureka committing eight and MUW nine, but the Red Devils capitalized on transition opportunities. Maxine Najera (Riverside, Calif./Hillcrest) controlled the boards, and Webb knocked down another three-pointer in the final minute of the quarter, giving Eureka a 23-17 lead. MUW's Takiela Jones kept the Owls competitive with key free throws, but the Red Devils' depth and fast-break scoring gave them the edge.

Eureka extended its lead in the second quarter, outscoring MUW 19-14. The Owls had several early misses, allowing the Red Devils to take advantage. Ashley Wilcox (Hudson, Ill./Normal West) finished a fast-break layup early in the quarter, and Eureka continued to build momentum. Late in the quarter, Webb and Sierra Garcia-Reisch (Las Animas, Colo./La Junta) hit back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to double digits. MUW's Quay Dorrough ended the quarter with a layup, but the Red Devils entered halftime with a 42-31 advantage.

MUW fought back in the third quarter, led by Conley Langford, who scored five quick points to cut the deficit to 42-36. However, Eureka responded with key plays from Webb and Josie Ness (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich), who knocked down a fast-break jumper to regain momentum. MUW's Reshya Hudson and Claire Leak contributed to a comeback attempt, but Eureka maintained control. Najera and Ness delivered on both ends of the floor, while Langford continued to lead the Owls. Despite the visitors' push, the Red Devils ended the quarter up 63-58.

Eureka took full command in the fourth quarter, outscoring MUW 26-13 to seal the win. Garcia-Reisch opened with a three-pointer off an assist from Allannah Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria), and the Red Devils never looked back. MUW struggled with turnovers and foul trouble, while Najera delivered clutch free throws and a jumper to widen the gap. Diamond Rayford briefly kept MUW in it with a three-pointer, but Eureka capitalized on late-game miscues, extending their lead to 86-71 before Allysa Taylor (Tehachapi, Calif./Tehachapi) capped the night off with a three-pointer in the final seconds.

Saturday was the final regular season home game for Eureka's senior class. Senior's Katie Haffner (Lake Camelot, Ill./Illini Bluffs), Maxine Najera, and Josie Ness were honored prior to tipoff for their contributions to the Red Devils' women's basketball program.

GAME NOTES

• Eureka clinched a spot in the SLIAC tournament and moved into a tie for third place in the conference standings.
• Miya Webb led the Red Devils with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, while adding three assists and two steals.
• Maxine Najera tallied 18 points, two steals, and shot 7-of-13 from the field.
• Alyssa Abascal (El Paso, Texas/El Dorado) was efficient at the free-throw line, making 6-of-7 attempts for eight points.
• Sierra Garcia-Reisch recorded seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
• Josie Ness added 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.

UP NEXT

Eureka will travel to St. Louis, Mo., to take on Fontbonne on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. The Red Devils defeated Fontbonne 70-38 earlier this season.