Eureka's Eeten Too Much to Handle For Women's Basketball

By: Vinnie Birk - Blackburn College Sports Information

The Blackburn College Women's Basketball team lost a tough 63-51 game to the Eureka College Red Devils on Wednesday night in Carlinville.

The Beavers had three players that notched double digits in scoring. Shelby Smith led the team with 18 points and Briana Rae was right behind with 14 points. Rashonda Willis added 11 points in the game. The three combined to score all but 8 of the Beavers' 51 points.

Rae led the team with 9 boards while Willis collected 8. Smith and Willis each led Blackburn with 4 steals as well. Blackburn amassed 12 steals to Eureka's 5.

Although the Blackburn trio was impressive, they just could not outdo the Eureka duo of Caty Eeten and Kelsey Shoemake. Eeten piled up 30 points and 8 rebounds on the night while Shoemake earned a double double by scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Blackburn trailed 32-24 going into to halftime and then began a small little comeback in the second half. The Beavers were only outscored 31-27 in the back end of the contest.

A key component in the game were the free throws. Eureka made 15 of 16 from the line, including a perfect 9 of 9 from Eeten. Blackburn also shot well from the line by making 8 of 12.

With the loss, the Beavers fall to 2-15 overall and 2-7 in SLIAC play. Blackburn will entertain another fierce home crowd this Saturday as they take on the Panthers of Greenville College. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.