Hart Sets Rebound Record in Road Loss at Principia

ELSAH, Ill. – The Eureka women's basketball team fell on the road Tuesday night, dropping a 91-52 decision to Principia. Despite the result, Courtney Hart (Lancaster, Calif./Yosemite) turned in a historic performance, breaking the program's single game rebounding record with 25 boards.

The Panthers jumped out to a fast start in the opening quarter, racing out to a 13-2 lead. Hart carried the offensive load early, scoring Eureka's first eight points of the night, but the Red Devils still trailed 18-8 midway through the period. Brooklyn Bowman (Washington, Ill./Washington) provided the first non-Hart scoring for Eureka late in the quarter, though Principia held a 22-10 advantage after one.

Eureka showed signs of life in the second quarter, trading baskets early before Hart scored three straight points to cut the deficit to 28-19. Principia answered to push the lead back to 32-21, but Lailah Hadley (Indianapolis, Ind./Purdue Polytechnic) sparked a run by knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to bring the Red Devils within five at 32-27. The Panthers responded with five straight points, but Kayla Collins (Fort Worth, Texas/Fort Worth Christian) beat the halftime buzzer with a jumper to make it a 37-29 game at the break.

Principia seized control coming out of halftime, opening the third quarter on a 12-0 run to build a 49-29 lead. Hadley connected on consecutive buckets to briefly cut the margin to 51-34, and a three-pointer from Railynn Brown (Erlanger, Ky./Lloyd Memorial) brought Eureka within 15. Principia closed the quarter strong, scoring the final four points to take a 56-37 lead into the fourth.

The Panthers' offense erupted in the final period, scoring 35 points and pulling away for the 91-52 victory.

Hart led the Red Devils with 15 points and a program-record 25 rebounds. Hadley finished with 14 points, six assists, and three steals, while Collins added 13 points. Bowman chipped in five rebounds, and Brown contributed three points and four rebounds.

UP NEXT

Eureka has a quick turnaround as the Red Devils return home to host Spalding on Thursday. It will be the second meeting between the teams in six days after Spalding earned a 65-46 win in Louisville on Saturday.