Eureka 85 Mustangs 72

Eureka Red Devils too hot for Stangs, take exhibition game 85-7210/20/2012 11:38:00 PM The Western Mustangs men`s basketball team welcomed the Eureka College Red Devils -- an NCAA Division III team from Eureka, Illinois -- on Saturday in pursuit of its first home victory for this exhibition season. Depsite a strong start, the Mustangs faced injury and team chemistry trouble as the game progressed and finished 13 points behind with a 85-72 final score to the Red Devils.Eureka College is the third NCAA team Western has hosted this year, dropping games against South Alabama and Trine University earlier in the pre-season. Four Mustangs putting up double digit point totals in tonight`s game, but the veteran experience took command throughout and resulted in the Mustangs` loss.The Mustang guards came out running and created opportunities off the fast break. Peter Scholtes accompanied the backcourt with strong inside play and finished the first quarter with a solid ten points. The Mustangs maintained resilience and contested against the Red Devil`s veteran offence for the first fifteen, even without strong defensive play. The opening quarter ended in a 24 point tie.The Red Devils went up a costly ten points at the start of the second quarter, where Mustang miscommunication caused several turnovers and allowed for the Eureka Red Devils to go up on the scoreboard. Western knew they needed to regroup and adjust in order to seize their full potential. Continued pressure from the Red Devils squad resulted in a first half score of 47-34 in favour of Eureka College.The second half began with a quick three-pointer from Mustang Ryan Higgins off of an assist from teammate Quinn Henderson. Great outside shooting from Jacob Hutchcroft gave Western the kick they needed to cut the deficit. Even though an improved offensive presence was evident in the third quarter, it was no match for the Red Devils` accurate shooting. The third quarter ended with a score of 47-70.The Mustangs had work cut out for them at the start of the fourth quarter. Jacob Hutchcroft continued to play well on both sides of the court, making two jumpers and a three pointer off the bench. Scholtes, who started off the game strong in the post, was sidelined by injury in the second half and unable to factor into a comeback.Western continued to play hard until the final minutes and cut Eureka`s lead, but fell short to the Red Devils, who outshot the `Stangs the entire game. Mustang Charlie Drouin played extremely well and racked up 14 points, three rebounds and one assist.Following the game, head coach Brad Campbell gave insight into what went wrong. “We were completely out executed. We were taken advantage of from a veteran team,`` he said. ``We got beat during off ball action and were poor in anticipating and seeing what was happening.”The Mustangs are back to the drawing board but have chances to rebound before the regular season starts in November. Western takes on fellow American school Ashland University from Ashland, Ohio next. The NCAA Division II squad will challenge at Alumni Hall on Monday, October 22 at 7pm.