Box Score Eureka, IL--The Principia Men's basketball team went on the road today for the second time this week against a conference foe. Despite some great individual efforts and a few big runs the Panthers fell to Eureka College 94-86.
The Panthers struck first in the contest winning the tip and then getting the ball to Senior
Adaku Anumu on the wing. Anumu attacked and was able to get fouled shooting a layup. He made both freebies and the Panthers had an early 2-0 lead. Eureka came back with a couple of buckets of their own and eventually took a lead of 7-6 with 17:35 still on the first half clock.
The Panthers responded to Eureka's run by seizing the lead with a offensive burst going on a 6-0 run of their own. The first points came via two made free throw from Freshman
TreVaughn Goodman. Senior
Justin Ball then converted on two buckets. The first was a nice post move for a layup and then he came back with a jumper. This gave the Panthers a 12-7 lead with just under 15 minutes left.
Eureka and the Panthers then traded buckets until the Red Devils went on a 8-0 run to grab a 25-17 lead with 8:43 left in the half. Eureka kept building on their lead and with 4:40 left they were up 10.
The Panthers wouldn't go down quiet though and went on a 10-2 run cutting the lead to 34-32. The stretch was keyed by contributions from Goodman and Ball with junior Parker Davison and sophomore
Micah Paulson also getting buckets. The first half ended with Eureka up 38-34.
Eureka jumped on the Panthers to start the second half going on a 13-2 run and taking the lead to 15. The Panthers finally got going when Anumu hit a jumper which he followed up with a tough 3-pointer to cut the lead to 6.
The Panthers struggled defensively after cutting the lead to 6 and over the next 8 minutes Eureka was able to take control of the game by pushing their lead to 18 points with 7:18 to go.
The Panthers turned to the bench at this point and they provided. Giving a spark at just the right time the second unit was able to cut the lead to 8 with 2 minutes left. Freshman
Brennan Paulson contributed 4 points during the run including a nifty reverse layup. Sophomore
Kaylin Hernandez Beiner also contributed points showing off a nice pull up and a long 3-pointer. Unfortunately for the Panthers it was too little too late. Eureka hit free throws down the stretch and eventually won 94-86.
The Panthers were led by Paulson and Goodman who both had 19 points. Davidson had 9 points and 10 boards while
Justin Ball chipped in with 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Up next the Panthers have winter break. They will be back in action New Year's Eve at Maryville University at 1:00 PM.
