Eureka Pushes SLIAC-Leading Webster Before Late Surge

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka men's basketball team battled throughout Wednesday night against a Webster squad that sits atop the SLIAC standings and remains unbeaten in conference play, keeping the game close in the first half before the Gorloks pulled away late to hand the Red Devils a 75-62 loss.

Webster struck first with an early three-pointer, but Eureka answered behind key production off the bench. Blake Logsdon (Meridian, Idaho/Mountain View) knocked down a three, and Damuzha Moore (Champaign, Ill./Urbana) followed with another from deep to spark the offense.

Andrew Coker (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) caught fire midway through the half, drilling back-to-back three-pointers to trim the deficit. Jaxson Provost (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara) added a jumper and later found Max Richardson (LaHarpe, Ill./Illini West) for a second-chance three. Ben Carter (Morton, Ill./Morton) buried a triple in the closing seconds of the half, sending Eureka into the break trailing just 34-32.

Provost opened the second half with another three-pointer to keep the Red Devils within striking distance, and Richardson added two free throws to cut the margin to three. After Webster extended its lead, Moore answered with a three, and Micah Bruer (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) converted a fast-break layup off a steal to pull Eureka back within 10.

Jonah Lauff (Pana, Ill./Pana) provided a spark during a second half push with a layup and a three-pointer, while Joel Ewald (Roscommon, Mich./Roscommon) capped the night with two late triples as Eureka continued to battle until the final horn.

Coker led the Red Devils with 12 points. Lauff added seven points and four rebounds, while Provost contributed seven points and five boards. Ewald chipped in six points off the bench, Moore finished with six, and Bruer added five. Eureka shot 13-of-40 from three-point range in the contest.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils return to action Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. when they host Principia in the home finale. The game will serve as Senior Day, with Eureka honoring its senior class at the game.