Reneau, Red Devils Blitz Monmouth, 91-78

EUREKA, Ill. -- Eureka College senior guard Hayley Reneau (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S./Illinois Central) tallied a career-high 41 points and sophomore guard Kennedy Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) tacked on her first collegiate double-double with new career marks of 20 points and 11 assists, driving the Red Devils to a 91-78 non-conference victory over Monmouth, Tuesday night at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.

Reneau was 13-for-28 from the field, 6-for-13 from 3-point range and 9-for-10 from the free throw line to earn Eureka's fourth 40-point game in program history. Her 41 points were second-most in a game by a Red Devil and trailed only Caty Eeten's 49-point outburst in a 117-98 victory over Knox on Nov. 17, 2011.

The Red Devils trailed early but used a 13-2 surge to go in front 18-8 when Reneau hit from long range with 3:58 left in the first quarter. Keri Dodson's foul shots brought the visitors back within 22-18 in the final two minutes of the period, but the Red Devils led 26-19 when the first quarter ended.

A layup by Lexi Dooley (Sutter, Ill./Warsaw H.S.) shortly after the start of the second period ignited a 12-2 EC run that ended when Ashley Harfst (Saunemin, Ill./Pontiac H.S.) scored inside for a 38-21 cushion. The Scots trimmed their deficit back to 10 when Maddie Dohleman's layup made it 43-33 at the 3:59 mark, but another Eureka answered with another offensive burst. Reneau buried a 30-footer from the deep right wing as time expired and the Red Devils' 60-40 lead at the break was their largest of the first 20 minutes.

Carley Turnbull's jumper capped a 9-2 Monmouth run in the early portion of the third quarter, but the hosts slowly regained their large advantage. A Kerrigan Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) free throw with 17 seconds left in the quarter allowed the Red Devils to regain a 20-point cushion, 77-57, and the advantage was 77-58 at the end of the frame.

Eureka's fourth-quarter lead swelled to as large as 23 points when Kennedy Dura pushed down two free throws for an 81-58 lead with 9:17 left. The final 13-point margin was as close as the Scots would get for the remainder of the game.

Kennedy Dura's 20 points topped her previous career best of 17. She was 6-for-13 from the field a perfect 7-for-7 from the line to aid the Red Devils' 21-for-27 effort from the charity stripe. Eureka shot 43 percent (30-for-70) from the field and was credited with an assist on 25 of its 30 baskets.

The 13-point margin of victory was Eureka's largest over Monmouth since a 70-54 win during the 1994-95 season.

Keri Dodson scored 25 points to lead MC. The Scots shot 44 percent from the field and outrebounded the Red Devils 44-40 but committed 20 turnovers

Eureka will take a short break for the holiday before returning to action Monday at home against Millikin at 7 p.m. at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.