Box Score CARLINVILLE, Ill. – Four Golden Eagles scored in double figures led by
Allison Just's 17 points as Spalding blew past Blackburn, 86-59, Saturday afternoon in Carlinville, Ill. The win, paired with a Westminster loss to Eureka kept Spalding's postseason hopes alive. SU's record improved to 10-13 on the season and 8-7 in SLIAC competition placing Spalding in a three-way tie with Fontbonne and Westminster for fourth and final seed in the 2018 SLIAC tournament.
THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 86 – Blackburn 59
LOCATION: Carlinville, Ill.
RECORD: Spalding 10-12 (8-7 SLIAC), Blackburn 2-21 (0-14 SLIAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
An Allison Just jumper on Spalding's first possession gave the Golden Eagles the lead and SU would not look back as they led the contest from start to finish. The Golden Eagles went on to shoot 50% in the first quarter to take 20-15 lead into the second quarter. Just scored SU's first six points of the second quarter helping the Golden Eagles extend their lead to 16 points leading 41-25 at the half. The Beavers outscored Spalding 17-16 in the third quarter to prevent the Golden Eagles from extending their lead. However, it was all SU in the fourth. An Alex Martin and-one to open quarter, followed by a Just layup helped SU extend their lead to 18 points. Spalding pulled away the remainder of the quarter capping the game off with a Jenna Thornhill layup and a pair of free throws by Micaiah Bowden to make the final margin 27 points, 86-59.
Just paced Spalding with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Lelanda Matthews recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Jenna Thronhill added 14 points, and Micaiah Bowden scored 13 points going 4-of-6 from the field.
A big factor in the Golden Eagle victory was offensive efficiency. Spalding shot 53.4% overall, while holding Blackburn to a 38.6% mark. SU also dominated inside outscoring the Beavers 46-16 in the paint.
FOR THE FOES
Jenna Dudra led three Beavers in double digit scoring totaling 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Maria Cline scored 13 points and Savannah Kruse added 11 points.
UP NEXT
Up next, the Golden Eagles return home to square off against Greenville in their SLIAC finale Wednesday, February 14. Tip-off is 6:00 pm at Derek Smith Gymnasium.
