Eutectics survive a dog-fight at Principia! Now stand at 3-0!

ELSAH, IL – On Monday night, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy matched their best start in men's basketball since the 2011-2012 season with a 71-65 road victory at Principia College. Newly inked American Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Week Ahian Barnett poured in 19 points to lead the Eutectics who improved to 3-0 on the season with the win.

It was tight the entire contest as neither team ever held a double-digit lead, the most either team led by was eight and the back-and-forth affair featured 18 ties and 36 lead changes. In a game with little separation, the Eutectics took a six-point first half lead when Landon Engelage converted an old fashioned three-point play with 12:45 left in the first half to put UHSP on top 17-11. Principia's Abe Pogue would later score four straight for the home team to cut the margin to 19-17 with 8:56 left, but Christian Harwood nailed a three and David Moore had a layup to extend the Eutectics' lead to the largest in the half at 24-17 with 6:30 remaining. But three layup and a couple of free throws over the ensuing 2:20 and Principia quickly came all the way back to take a one-point lead at 25-24. Barnett would give the Euts the lead right back with a triple and the game would stay close the remainder of the half. Jas Suvalija made a jumper and Barnett and Sean Paradise Jr. converted lay-ins to close the half for UHSP who took a 33-31 lead to the break.

The margin remained razor thin through the first four-plus minutes in the second half. Suvalija made a layup 4:07 into the half to give UHSP a 39-36 lead, but Isaiah Parker immediately answered with a three to tie it at 39-39. The game was tied at 41, 43, 48, 50 and finally at 56 with 4:50 to play. Another Engelage three-point play and five in a row from Barnett and the Eutectics claimed a 64-58 advantage.  With 2:06 left, Nolan Smith got fouled but split the free throws to make it a one-possession game at 66-63. But UHSP would not fold as Brock Davis, who was named AMC Player of the Week on the defensive side on Monday, made a pair at the line, Barnett made a foul shot, and Engelage finished at the rim for a layup and UHSP took an insurmountable eight-point lead at 71-63 with just :32 seconds left.

Landon Engelage came off the bench to score 17 points along with four rebounds. He was the only other Eutectic to score double digits along with Barnett who added five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Principia had three players in double figures as Isaiah Parker and Nolan Smith each scored 14 points and Bobby Alford added 13.

UHSP took advantage of a tough shooting night for the home club as Principia connected on just 35.3% of their field goal attempts (24-of-68) while the Eutectics were 28-for-61 (45.9%). The Purple and Gold outrebounded the Panthers 43-48 and edged Principia on points in the paint, 44-32.

The Eutectics held on to remain undefeated setting up a chance for their best start to a season in over 20 years. The 2011-12 Eutectics also started 3-0, but they suffered their first loss in game four when they lost to Blackburn. UHSP (3-0) travels to play Central Christian College of the Bible in their next contest on Thursday at 7:00pm. They are then back at home on Monday when they host area rival Fontbonne at 7:00pm.