Eeten Breaks Eureka Scoring Record in 97-76 Win Over Knox

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College senior guard Caty Eeten (Eureka, Ill./Eureka H.S.) scored 23 points, including a driving layup with 9:19 left in the second half to break the all-time Eureka scoring record, lifting the Red Devils to a 97-76 non-conference win over Knox, Saturday afternoon at the Reagan Center. The decision also marked the first home victory for new head coach Victoria Jones.

Eeten overcame early foul trouble and went 10-for-16 for the field to finish the contest with 1,485 points, breaking the previous EC record of 1,483 set by Jessica Reardon (2001-05). Eeten, who set the new all-time mark in only 71 career appearances, also owns all-time program records in scoring average (20.9), free throws made (466) and free throws attempted (575). She also has made 481 career field goals, 103 shy of the all-time Eureka record of 584 set by Jill McGinnis (1991-95).

Saturday's game was played at Knox's brisk tempo that includes full-court pressure and frequent mass substitutions. The visitors quickly claimed their largest lead of the afternoon, 10-4, less than five minutes into the contest. The Red Devils recovered quickly, responding with a 11-4 run and snagging their first lead of the day when junior forward Kelsey Shoemake (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria H.S.) scored in transition for a 15-14 edge with 12:52 left in the first half.

Knox and Eureka played to 14 more lead changes from that point forward in the first half. Despite the frequent momentum swings, the hosts took the lead for good when freshman guard Luci Weis (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community H.S.) found senior forward Lauren Schwanke (Eureka, Ill./Eureka H.S.) for another fast-break layup and a 35-34 lead at the 6:21 mark of the first period. Eureka ultimately finished the frame on a 17-9 blitz, and the 50-43 cushion matched Eureka's largest lead of the half.

Eureka put the game out of reach shortly after halftime, using a 35-10 barrage and limiting the visitors to just three field goals over the first 13:38 of the second half. A layup from senior guard Amanda Schreck (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville H.S.) gave Eureka an 85-53 lead, its largest of the game. The Red Devils outscored KC 47-33 in the second half and limited the Prairie Fire to just 24 percent shooting (10-for-41) in the final 20 minutes.

In addition to her 23 points, Eeten added 10 rebounds for her 16th career double-double. Shoemake compiled game-highs with 26 points and 15 rebounds for her 13th career double-double. Junior guard Jenna Brooks (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S.) tacked on 14 points, a game-high five assists and three steals.

Eureka went 45-for-96 from the field, falling three baskets shy of matching the single-game Eureka record of 48 field goals set against Greenville during the 1992-93 season. The Red Devils also dominated the rebounding battle Saturday, holding a 66-51 edge and narrowly missing the program record of 70 set during the 1995-96 campaign. Eureka scored 70 of its 97 points in the paint for the afternoon and outscored Knox on the fast break, 34-5.

Jessica Howard paced Knox with 15 points, as 12 different players played at least 10 minutes in the Prairie Fire's unusual offensive style. Knox shot 29 percent (24-for-82) for the game, made only seven of its 34 shots from beyond the arc and committed 25 turnovers.

The Red Devils will continue non-conference action Monday against Robert Morris-Springfield at the Reagan Center. Tip-off against the USCAA-affiliated Eagles is slated for 6 p.m.

COURTESY OF EUREKA SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE