EUREKA, Ill. – The Spalding University women's basketball team fell on the road to Eureka College, 66-63, Thursday in Eureka, Ill. The loss drops the Golden Eagles record to 9-8 overall and 4-5 in the SLIAC.

The Golden Eagles were led by sophomore Alex Martin who poured in 27 points to go with five rebounds and three steals and Dee Dee Sliter, who chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

Spalding struggled early, falling behind 15-3 late in the first quarter. Eureka's lead grew to 22 points with 1:19 left in the second quarter, before a 6-0 run by Spalding to close the quarter cut the lead to 35-19 at the half.

Spalding reduced the lead to 13 points at the end of the third quarter, before mounting a comeback to tie the game 61-61 on an Alex Martin layup with only 1:34 left in the fourth quarter. Eureka answered back with a quick basket to make it 63-61, but Spalding tied it again on a jump shot by Lelanda Matthews to make it 63-63. With the game tied at 63-63, the Golden Eagles got the ball with 32 seconds remaining and opportunity to hold the ball for the last shot. However, an illegal screen was called on Matthews with at the 17-second mark giving the ball back to Eureka. The Red Devils Michaela Balducci capitalized on the SU turnover drilling a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining to lift the Red Devils to victory.

Up next, Spalding travels to Mount Pleasant, Iowa to take on Iowa Wesleyan University Saturday at 2:00 pm EST.