SLIAC Game of the Week: Eureka at Blackburn
Posted: Nov 29, 2016

SLIAC Game of the Week: Eureka at Blackburn

 

At a Glance

This week's SLIAC Game of the Week is the men's basketball conference opener for Eureka College and Blackburn College. The game is set for an 8 p.m. start in Carlinville, Illinois on Wednesday, November 30th.
 

Blackburn College "BEAVERS"

Blackburn comes into the game with a 3-3 overall record and are just one of three teams in the conference to hold a .500 or better record. After winning two straight to open the season the Beavers dropped three in a row; however they found the win column again in their last outing, an 82-67 win over Cornell on Saturday. Blackburn is averaging 80.2 points per game this season, fifth most in the SLIAC. The Beavers are a dangerous team from the outside, hitting on 41-percent of their three's, second best in the SLIAC.

DeAndre Manuel, a senior forward, is the team's top scorer at 15.2 points per game and is tough to defend in the paint, shooting 55-percent from the floor. The Beavers long range attack is led by senior guard Chris Davis (14.0 points per game) who is hitting on 45-percent of his three point attempts. Senior guard Jake Maestranzi is averaging 11.4 points and a team best 4.4 assists per game.
 

Eureka College "RED DEVILS"

Eureka stands at a 5-0 overall record after an 89-86 come from behind win over Monmouth on Sunday. The Red Devils trailed by as many as 12 points in the game before storming back in the second-half to secure the win. Eureka is averaging the second most points in the league this year at 92.2 points per game. One key for the Red Devils this year is limiting their turnovers (12.5), ranking third in the league in fewest per game.

The Red Devils offensive attack is led by 2016 SLIAC Newcomer of the Year Shea Feehan. Feehan has picked up right where he left off last year, averaging 30.8 points per game this season. He is hitting on 44-percent of his three-point attempts while shooting 50-percent from the floor. In addition Feehan is averaging 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Junior guard Kendall Davis is Feehan's partner in crime, averaging 24.8 points per game and connecting on an impressive 57-percent of his three-point shots. Hank Thomas is the third piece of the offense, averaging 12.2 points and 3.0 assists per game.

Game Notes

  • Eureka leads the all-time series against Blackburn 17-3 including sweeping the season series last year.
  • Just like last year Blackburn has been focused on the three pointer, not just on offense but on defense. The Beavers are second in the league in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 33-percent from long range this season. This is after allowing the second fewest three's among SLIAC teams last year.
  • Eureka is off to the program's best start since the 1986-87 season when they opened the year with 10 straight wins.
  • Blackburn's Chris Davis has had a three-pointer in 15 straight games, dating back to last season.
  • Shea Feehan is 48-of-49 from the free-throw line this season including a 21-for-22 game against Robert Morris-Peoria earlier this season.