Strong First Half Not Enough as Eureka Falls at Spalding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Eureka women's basketball team continued their road trip on Saturday afternoon in another conference matchup against Spalding. Despite a strong opening half, Eureka was unable to keep pace down the stretch, falling 65-46.

The Red Devils set the tone early with energy on both ends. Courtney Hart (Lancaster, Calif./Yosemite) was active inside, scoring multiple baskets in the paint and controlling the glass, while Brooklyn Bowman (Washington, Ill./Washington) contributed with a second-chance bucket. Late in the opening quarter, Railynn Brown (Erlanger, Ky./Lloyd Memorial) converted from three, and Hart finished with a layup in the final seconds to give Eureka a 15-10 advantage after one.  

Eureka built its largest lead of the game early in the second quarter behind continued interior scoring from Hart and transition baskets from Lailah Hadley (Indianapolis, Ind./Purdue Polytechnic). Unfortunately for Eureka, turnovers began to swing momentum. Ma'Kaylia Lute and Zaneiya Batiste sparked Spalding with timely scoring, and free throws in the final seconds allowed the Golden Eagles to close the gap. The teams went into the half tied at 28.  

The third quarter was tightly contested. Hart opened the half with another basket, and Brown briefly put Eureka ahead with a triple. Spalding responded with second-chance opportunities, as Batiste controlled the offensive glass and Brooke MeNeal hit clutch perimeter shots. Late free throws by Lute pushed Spalding in front, and the Golden Eagles carried a 41-37 lead into the final quarter.  

Spalding seized control in the fourth, opening the quarter with a three from McNeal and a transition basket by Nicole Hollowell. Eureka struggled to generate offensively as Spalding went on a decisive run fueled by inside scoring from Batiste and free throws from Lute. The Golden Eagles outscored Eureka 24-9 in the final quarter to pull away late for the 65-46 win.  

Hart paced the Red Devils with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Hadley finished with 10 points and six assists. Bowman added two points and four rebounds, and Brown chipped in eight points highlighted by two three-pointers. 

UP NEXT

The Red Devils appear once more on the road before returning home, as they prepare for another SLIAC matchup at Principia on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.