Box Score EUREKA, Ill. – Tonight the Principia College women's basketball team traveled to Eureka, Ill. for their conference opener versus the Eureka Red Devils. The Panthers got off to a hot start, going up 18-6 due to gritty team defense and the offensive production of freshman
Sophia Hathaway (she had 16 points in the first half). Finishing the quarter with a with an 18-10 lead, Principia was on their way to take over the game, but some foul trouble put the Panthers on their heels and allowed Eureka to climb back into the game. About halfway through the 2
nd quarter, with the score tied, Principia was able to refocus and take back the lead, led in large part by Perea and senior captain
Kara Johnson, who brought composure to the Panther offense as well as dominating the boards (Johnson had 8 rebounds in the 1
st half). This, combined with solid team defense and some clutch three point shooting from sophomore guard
Megan Selby allowed Principia to head into the locker room at half time up 37-30.
The 2
nd half was more of a struggle for the Panthers, with foul trouble keeping Hathaway on the bench and limiting her to just 6 second half points. Eureka continued to chip away at the Panther lead, finally taking a two point lead just after the start of the 4
th quarter. Despite continued dominant play from the Principia forwards, ultimately the Panthers were unable to handle the full court pressure that Eureka threw at them. The Red Devils outscored Principia by 20 points in the fourth quarter alone, sealing the Panther's fate with a 61-80 loss in their conference opener.
Notable statistical contributions include Perea who ended the game with 13 points and 7 assists to which she added 4 steals. Hathaway had a career high 22 points, and Johnson ended the game with 18 points and a game high 17 rebounds.
The Panthers will continue with their conference match-ups this coming Saturday, December 5
th vs. Webster University. The game is at home and is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
