Red Devils Hold On for Third Consecutive Win

EUREKA, Ill. - The Eureka women's basketball team held off a fierce comeback attempt to defeat Beloit 63-56 on Tuesday afternoon, securing their third consecutive win.

Eureka took control early in the first quarter against Beloit, starting with a fast-break layup by Elena Redgate (Metamora, Ill./Metamora), assisted by Alyssa Abascal (El Paso, Texas/El Dorado). Redgate's performance was particularly noteworthy as she achieved a new career high with 15 points during the game. The Buccaneers struggled offensively, committing 15 turnovers in the quarter, while the Red Devils capitalized on these mistakes with 12 steals, including three by Allannah Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria), who set a new career high in steals with 6. Eureka's defensive pressure led to a commanding lead, with the home team scoring 19 points in the quarter. Sierra Garcia-Reisch (Las Animas, Colo./La Junta) added a strong finish, contributing back-to-back layups and a free throw to push Eureka's lead to 17-0 before Beloit finally scored their first basket in the closing seconds of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Eureka demonstrated strong defensive play with a total of five steals and two blocks. The home team capitalized on these opportunities, scoring 18 points in the quarter with contributions from Alyssa Zarello (Bushnell, Ill./Bushnell) and Miya Webb (Indianapolis, Ind./Brownsburg), who both converted fast-break points. The Buccaneers struggled offensively, making only 3 of 14 baskets and committing six turnovers. Eureka's ability to convert turnovers into points, along with their effective fast-break and paint scoring, helped them secure an 18-11 advantage in the quarter, leading to a 37-14 lead at the end of the half.

In the third quarter, Eureka's Alyssa Abascal scored eight points, including a 3-pointer assisted by Allannah Jackson, contributing to Eureka's lead. Abascal tied her career high with 10 points on the day. The Red Devils continued to capitalize on Beloit's turnovers, with Josie Ness (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich) scoring multiple times off of turnovers, to extend their advantage. Ness's efforts marked a season high in points for her with 9. With 1:52 left in the quarter, Lainey Moore (Sullivan, Ill./Sullivan) was able to give the Red Devils their largest lead of the day at 33 points on a fast break layup. The Buccaneers' Hadja Bayo was active, scoring two free throws and a layup, but the team struggled overall with turnovers and missed shots. The quarter concluded with Eureka leading 57-28, outscoring Beloit 20-14 in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Beloit mounted a significant comeback attempt by outscoring Eureka 28-6. The quarter began with Beloit's Bailey Darneal scoring a layup, setting the tone for her team. Due to strong defensive efforts by Beloit, including a block by Hadja Bayo and a steal by Aina Mallorqui, Eureka struggled offensively, managing only one field goal in the quarter. The Buccaneers capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, with Julia Kennedy contributing crucial points in the final minutes, but the Red Devils' Maxine Najera (Riverside, Calif./Hillcrest) knocked down a pair of free throws to close out the win for Eureka.

Miya Webb scored 9 points, adding 5 assists and 3 steals in her performance. Alyssa Zarello also made a significant impact on defense, recording 4 steals, while adding 2 points and 3 rebounds. Allannah Jackson was another defensive force, leading the team with 6 steals and contributing 4 assists. Elena Redgate was the top scorer with 15 points, hitting 6 of 11 baskets and grabbing 5 rebounds. Josie Ness contributed with 9 points and led the team in rebounding with 6 boards.

UP NEXT
The Red Devils will face Missouri S&T in an exhibition match on Saturday, Dec. 21. The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. and will take place in Rolla, Mo. Eureka's next regular season game is at home against Blackburn on Saturday, Jan. 4. Eureka's first meeting with Blackburn resulted in a commanding 95-45 win.