LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Alex Martin nearly tallied a triple-double to lead Spalding to a big win over Eureka, 84-73, Saturday afternoon at Derek Smith Gymnasium. The win lifts the Golden Eagles record to 9-12 on the season and 7-6 in conference, while Eureka drops to 14-7 overall and 10-3 in SLIAC play.  

THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 84 – Eureka 73
LOCATION: Derek Smith Gymnasium, Louisville, Ky.   
RECORD: Spalding 9-12 (7-6 SLIAC), Eureka 14-7 (10-3 SLIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams were on fire in first quarter combining for 49 points. The Golden Eagles were able to out-gun the Red Devils shooting 55 percent from the field and 80 percent from three-point range to take a 27-22 lead into the second quarter. Eureka took advantage of a cold second quarter by the Golden Eagles to climb back into the lead with just under a minute to play. A Haley Raneau three-point followed by a pair of Lexi Dooley free throws looked to shift momentum to the Red Devils to end the half, but a big layup from Mackenzie Myers with four seconds left in the quarter put SU within one at the half, 44-43. The Golden Eagles came flying out the gate in the second half retaking the lead on a Lelanda Matthews layup on their first possession sparking a 15-4 Spalding run to take a 58-48 lead. Eureka responded with a 14-4 spurt to even the score, 62-62, heading into the fourth quarter. SU got off to another strong start to begin the fourth. Allison Just knocked down a jumper to regain the lead sparking an 8-0 Spalding run capped off by a Micaiah Bowden jumper to give the Golden Eagles a 70-62 lead. Eureka answered with a 4-0 run, but Alex Martin took over scoring eight of Spalding's next 11 points to push the lead to 15 points as SU went on to win it, 84-73.

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Alex Martin nearly recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Lelanda Matthews was a rebound short of the double-double tallying 11 points and nine rebounds, while adding four blocks on the defense. Megan Goeing also finished in double figures with 12 points and six rebounds. Micaiah Bowden and Tse Gahagen did not have great scoring nights, but contributed by finding open players. Gahagan finished with six assists, while Bowden had four assists to go along with six points and four rebounds.

A big factor in the Golden Eagles victory was winning the turnover battle. SU forced the Red Devils to commit 15 turnovers resulting in 22 points off turnovers, while the Golden Eagles limited their turnovers to seven allowing only five points off turnovers.

FOR THE FOES

Hayley Raneau scored 19 points to lead five Red Devils who finished in double figures. Kennedy Dura and Samantha Sarnes scored 13 points apiece. Ashley Harfst added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Lexi Dooley recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Up next, the Golden Eagles hit the road to take on the Webster Gorloks Wednesday, February 7. Tipoff is 7:00 pm EST at Grant Gymnasium in St. Louis, Mo.