Feehan, Red Devils Wear Down RMU-Peoria, 101-85
EUREKA, Ill. -- Eureka College sophomore guard Shea Feehan (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.) scored 35 points thanks in part to a 21-for-22 effort at the free throw line, sending the Red Devils to a 101-85 non-conference victory over USCAA Robert Morris-Peoria, Tuesday night at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.
The Red Devils and Eagles played in a back-and-forth first half before a pair of momentum swings highlighted the final seven minutes before intermission.
EC used an 8-2 burst to turn a two-point lead into its largest lead of the half, 39-31, when Feehan knocked down a pair of foul shots with 4:00 to play in the frame. RMU answered with a run of its own and eventually reclaimed a 45-43 edge on free throws from Jamor Stewart. Moments later, Stewart beat the first-half horn with a 3-pointer to give the visitors a 48-44 halftime lead.
The lead changed hands eight more times throughout the second half before Eureka took the lead for good, 69-68, on two more free throws from Feehan with 10:19 left. Eureka added to its lead from that point forward. A layup from junior guard Kendall Davis (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S./Illinois Central) in the final minute set the final score and Eureka's largest lead of the game.
In addition to his 35 points, Feehan collected 11 rebounds for the game's only double-double. Davis tacked on 21 points and sophomore Hank Thomas (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods H.S.) had 12. Sophomore Alex Wiegand (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) hauled down 10 rebounds.
Eureka held a 47-35 rebounding edge and outscored the visitors in the paint, 44-30.
Jake Stephens led RMU with 17 points, one of three Eagles to reach double figures. RMU used an 8-for-14 effort from the 3-point range in the first 20 minutes, but sputtered to a 3-for-13 line from long range after halftime.
The victory moved the Red Devils' early-season record to 3-0, the best start for the program since the 2012-13 season. Eureka has started the season 3-0 just six times since joining NCAA Division III in 1978.
The Red Devils will try for their first 4-0 start since the 1986-87 campaign when they travel to Knox on Saturday for a 3 p.m. non-conference bout in Galesburg, Ill.