Junior Seth Cooper led a trio of Eagles scoring in double figures with a game-high 23 points. Freshman Charlie Averkamp registered 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, and senior Greg Blaska posted 13 points and eight boards.
Down by four points with less than nine minutes remaining in the first period, Edgewood rapidly gained momentum when Averkamp was fouled on a made basket at the 8:43 mark. Averkamp made the ensuing free throw to convert the three-point play.
The series started a 30-4 run by the Eagles, capped off by a three pointer by Justin Kuhnau to give Edgewood a 43-21 advantage with 3:17 remaining in the first half. Edgewood shot 12-of-13 from the floor, including four three-point baskets, during the rally and enjoyed a 17-point lead at halftime.
Eureka was able to cut the Eagle lead down to nine points on a made free throw by Claye Vogelsang midway through the second half and got within eight on a jumper by Clint Rabbe with 8:11 remaining. But a total of 25 turnovers and a torrid 31.3 shooting percentage in the second period proved to be the Red Devils’ downfall.
Vogelsang led Eureka with 14 points, while Erik Kurtenbach added 13 points, including three of the team’s five baskets from beyond the arc. Coming off the bench, Reynald Peete tallied eight steals on the defensive end.
The Eagles will play host to the Edgewood College Men’s Basketball Classic, Jan. 2-4, at the Todd Wehr Edgedome in Madison. Edgewood will open play at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2, against the University of Dallas. Dallas will then take on Finlandia University (Mich.) at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3. Edgewood will then wrap up the three-game tournament at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, versus Finlandia.