Eureka Falls to Webster in SLIAC Semifinals, Concludes Best Season Since 2017-18

Fulton, Mo. – The Eureka women's basketball team saw its postseason run come to an end Thursday, falling 75-64 to regular season co-champion Webster in the SLIAC Tournament semifinals. Despite the loss, the Red Devils capped off their best season since 2017-18, finishing with a 16-11 overall record and an 11-7 mark in conference play.

Eureka came out strong in the first quarter, building an early lead. After Webster's Nysa Gilchrist opened the scoring with a layup just four seconds in, the Red Devils responded with a 9-2 run. Sierra Garcia-Reisch (Las Animas, Colo./La Junta) drilled a three-pointer at 7:25 to put Eureka ahead 5-4. Maxine Najera (Riverside, Calif./Hillcrest) and Josie Ness (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich) contributed key baskets, with Ness sinking a three-pointer at 6:03 to extend the lead to 10-6. In the closing seconds, Najera assisted Miya Webb (Indianapolis, Ind./Brownsburg) for a fast-break three-pointer at 0:40, followed by an Elena Redgate (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) layup at 0:02, giving the Red Devils a 21-15 advantage after one quarter.

Eureka pushed its lead to seven early in the second quarter, but Webster responded with a 17-7 run. Emily Wilson hit two free throws at 9:14 to cut the Red Devils' lead to 23-18, and Rylee Denbow's three-pointer at 2:48 gave Webster the lead at 27-25. The Gorloks continued to capitalize at the free throw line and entered halftime with a 32-28 lead.

In the third quarter, Webster extended its advantage by outscoring Eureka 22-14. The Gorloks shot 9-for-16 from the field while the Red Devils struggled, hitting just 4 of 20 attempts. Wilson opened the scoring with a jumper at 8:19, and back-to-back three-pointers from Aleyna Sherman and Emily Kerce midway through the quarter widened the gap. Eureka fought back with a Webb three-pointer at 1:45 and strong rebounding efforts but trailed 54-42 heading into the final quarter.

Eureka made a late push in the fourth quarter, outscoring Webster 22-21. After falling behind by 16, the Red Devils went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to seven with 3:36 remaining. A layup from Alyssa Abascal (El Paso, Texas/El Dorado) and free throws by Najera helped Eureka get within six at 2:25, but Webster maintained its composure down the stretch. Despite forcing turnovers, the Red Devils couldn't complete the comeback, as Webster secured the 75-64 win and advanced to the SLIAC Championship game for the sixth consecutive season.

GAME NOTES

• In Mike Hedrick's second season as head coach, Eureka finished with 11 more wins than last year.
• Miya Webb knocked down three three-pointers and finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
• Sierra Garcia-Reisch led the team with 11 rebounds (six offensive) and added six points.
• Allannah Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) tallied five steals and two blocks before fouling out.
• Josie Ness recorded three blocks, two steals, five points, and seven rebounds, finishing her Eureka career 44th in program history in scoring (568 points) and eighth in rebounds (696).
• Maxine Najera contributed 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a team-high six steals, capping off her lone season at Eureka as a Second Team All-Conference selection.
• Senior Katie Haffner (Lake Camelot, Ill./Illini Bluffs) concludes her career with the Red Devils with 83 points and 21 steals.

LOOKING AHEAD

With just three seniors graduating, the Red Devils will look to build on this season's success and aim for another strong campaign next year.