Eutectics Take Down Spartans on the Road

(Photo courtesy of Adam Samson)

CHESTERFIELD, MO - The Eutectic women's basketball team defeated the Missouri Baptist University Spartans (3-9, 1-2 AMC) on Tuesday, 72-60, in American Midwest Conference (AMC) action. The road victory snaps a four-game UHSP losing streak in head-to-head competition with the Spartans and earns the program its third-ever victory over MBU.

After several lead changes to start to the game, Samantha Matthews fed the ball to Grace Beyer at 5:25 for a layup that would seal the lead for the Eutectics at 10-8. UHSP scored the next eight points in a row with back-to-back threes from Elizabeth Allanach and Samantha Matthews and another layup from Beyer to go up 18-10. Emily Coleman grabbed four rebounds and two steals in the quarter to help the Eutectics maintain possession, as the Spartans would only score on two free throws for the second half of the quarter.

The Spartans started the second quarter with a triple from Bryce Dowell, but Coleman answered back quickly with her own three off an assist from Karsyn Morgan to keep a 21-15 Eutectic lead. At 6:25, Allanach hit another three, from Matthews, to give the Euts their largest lead of the game at 29-15.  The Spartans bounced back with a couple of layups and jumpers to come within seven, but the Purple and Gold would finish the half with a jump shot by Matthews to give them a 36-27 lead heading into intermission.

Matthews, who is averaging 57.6% from the arc so far this season, continued her barrage on the basket, scoring 11 of UHSP's 14 points in the third quarter. Allanach drained a triple to score the first points of the period for the Euts, but it was all Matthews after that. Following a layup by Matthews at 7:36, the Spartans converted on three free throws and two layups to come within one point of the Euts at 41-40. But, three more threes from Matthews (assisted by Beyer and Allanach) regained a solid lead of 50-42 for the UHSP team as they head into the fourth period.

The Spartans made a surge early in the final quarter, dropping in layups and free throws to come within five points of the Eutectics. Ultimately, however, they could not stop the Eutectic sharp shooters, as the Euts went 8-for-12 from the floor, including three triples to win the game by double digits at 72-60.

The Eutectics finished with 11 (of 24) 3-point field goals to average 45.8% from the arc and 47.3% from the floor. They outrebounded MBU 40-25, but gave up 18 turnovers to the home team.

Matthews hit 5-of-9 threes in the game and finished with 20 points. Beyer also scored 20 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists. Allanach was 4-for-7 from the arc, recording 18 points for the Eutectics. Coleman finished with eight rebounds, three steals, three assists, and five points. Payton Foster (7) and Caroliena Diaz (2) made up the rest of the UHSP points.

Bryce Dowell led the Spartans with 14 points, while Amar Mansour had 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

The victory bumps the Eutectics above .500 overall (7-6) and in AMC competition (2-1). UHSP will continue Conference play with road, heading to Fulton, Mo., to face William Woods University (7-5, 1-2 AMC) on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 5:30 p.m. They will cap off the week with a trip to Columbia College (Mo.)(12-3, 4-1 AMC) on Saturday, Jan. 13, with a 1 p.m. tipoff.