Red Devils Secure SLIAC Tournament Spot with Double OT Win Over MUW

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka men's basketball team secured their spot in the SLIAC tournament with a thrilling 82-78 victory in double overtime over MUW on Saturday.

The game opened with Eureka's Jalen Johnson (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls) knocking down the first basket, but MUW quickly responded with free throws from Dariun Doss. Micah Bruer (Washington, Ill./Washington) played a crucial early role, draining multiple 3-pointers, including a fast-break three after intercepting an inbounds pass, which gave the Red Devils a 13-10 lead. Jackson Reid of MUW kept the Owls within reach with a late layup and a free throw, but Eureka held a narrow 35-34 lead at halftime, thanks to Bruer's consistent scoring and Emaryon Byrd's (Peoria, Ill./Manual) dominant presence on the boards.

In the second half, the Red Devils pushed their lead to as many as 14 points, led by Byrd's inside scoring. However, MUW stormed back with an 8-0 run, followed by a 7-0 run, bringing the game to a nail-biting conclusion. In the final two minutes of regulation, MUW mounted another scoring streak, netting the final 6 points of regulation to tie the game. Both teams had a chance to win with under 10 seconds remaining, but neither could convert their final attempts, sending the game into overtime.

The first overtime period saw both teams struggle offensively. MUW capitalized on a Eureka turnover but couldn't pull ahead. The Red Devils had multiple chances to pull away at the free-throw line but were unable to capitalize, allowing MUW to stay within striking distance. With 33 seconds remaining, Reid's layup for MUW tied the game at 71-71, forcing a second overtime.

MUW took the lead early in the second overtime with a jumper from Chris Evans, but Eureka quickly responded. Ben Carter (Morton, Ill./Morton) sank two free throws to tie the game at 73, and Peewee Brown (Peoria, Ill./Manual) made a crucial steal and layup to push the Red Devils ahead by 2 points. With just over a minute remaining, MUW once again tied the game, but Brown answered with a layup and a free throw to put the Red Devils ahead. After a huge defensive stand by Eureka, MUW fouled Emaryon Byrd, who calmly sunk both free throws to seal the 82-78 victory for the Red Devils.

Saturday marked the final home game for Eureka's senior class. Seniors Raymond Bandzoumouna (Lisle, Ill./Lisle), Koen Woods (Gridley, Ill./El Paso-Gridley), Sam DeJesus (Delavan, Ill./Delavan), Peewee Brown, and Jalen Johnson were all honored prior to tipoff for their contributions to the Red Devils' men's basketball program.

GAME NOTES

• Micah Bruer recorded a career-high 20 points, sinking five 3-pointers and adding two steals.
• Peewee Brown added 21 points, three steals, and five rebounds.
• Emaryon Byrd led Eureka in scoring and posted his 12th double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
• Raymond Bandzoumouna hit a clutch 3-pointer late in the game to help secure the victory.
• The Red Devils are now tied with Fontbonne for the 5th seed in the SLIAC tournament.

UP NEXT
The Red Devils will travel to St. Louis to take on Fontbonne on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Eureka narrowly defeated Fontbonne earlier this season, 78-77.