The Red Devils (3-5) shot just 28 percent (7-25) in the opening half (their first action since Dec. 6 at Greenville) and 32 percent (18-56) for the game. The Visiting Big Blue (6-3) was not much better. Millikin was held to 29 percent (8-28) in the second half and 36 percent (21-58) for the game.
"The ironic this is, we've shot great in practice," said Eureka coach Jay Bruer. "With our injuries, we had some guys playing in different positions. I think we will be better off down the road with more practice. I was proud of our effort because there were significant things working against us."
One of the things working against Eureka was a huge size disadvantage. Millikin started three players listed taller than the 6'4'' Mike Trotter, Eureka's tallest starter. Millikin enjoyed a 48-33 rebounding edge and outscored EC 22-6 in second chance points in the game. Korte Long led the Big Blue with 14 boards.
Millikin used a 20-5 run in the middle of the first half to take a 31-16 lead, but the Red Devils fought back to within 11 at 36-25 at the halftime break.
Early in the second half Millikin seemed to put the game out of reach with a 12-2 run to take their largest lead of the game at 50-33 with 9:45 to play. Eureka answered by scoring 12 of the next 15 points to pull within 8 at the 4:40 mark. However, momentum shifted back to Millikin's side when Long grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed foul shot and Mike Gavic nailed a three-pointer from the corner to put the visitor's up 11 with 3:30 left.
Eureka could get no closer than eight until Tim Peffer dropped a shot at the buzzer to make the final 62-55.
Peffer was the only Red Devil in double figures with 19 tallies. Junior Eric Heider sparked the Eureka attack with nine points and a pair of blocks off the bench. Trotter pulled down six rebounds.
Drew Gensler led all scorers with 24 for the Big Blue. Lance Brooks added 16 for Millikin, who connected on just 3-of-16 behind the arc.
Eureka's next two games will be played in Lisle, Ill. on the campus of Benedictine University. The Red Devils take on Edgewood College on Dec. 28 at 5:30 p.m. and Milwaukee School of Engineering on Dec. 29 at 4:00 p.m.