Eureka recap
The Maryville men's basketball team closed out 2019 with a 70-52 victory over Eureka Friday afternoon in Moloney Arena. The Saints were bolstered by a 15-0 run in the first half. Jalen Gant paced four Saints in double figures with 13 points. Ross Ryan finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Parker Long led Maryville with 10 boards and seven assists to go along with six points.
 
What Happened
Eureka stunned the Saints with an early burst and scored the first 13 points of the game. Parker Long got the Saints on the scoreboard but Maryville was still down double figures eight minutes into the game. Gant started a 15-0 run with one free throw and followed with a layup. Ryan converted consecutive layups, and a Gant bucket pulled the Saints to 21-13. Long scored on a driving layup, Gant sank four more free throws to draw Maryville to 21-19. The Saints defense kept Eureka off the scoreboard for more than six minutes and forced 11 straight missed field goals. Zach Colletta scored in transition, and Ryan's jumper tied the game at 23-23. Dezmond McDaniel hit a jumper and a 3-pointer for a 28-23 lead. The Saints settled for a 28-25 lead at the break.
 
Colletta opened the second half with a hoop, and McDaniel converted in the lane. Chris Williams tipped in a shot as the Saints built a 35-25 lead. Eureka chipped away at the Maryville lead and got as close as four before the Saints pushed back to double-digit lead on two Gant free throws and a Colletta hoop. The Saints salted the game away with seven straight points for a 61-46 margin. The cushion grew to as many as 18 points and never sank below 13 the final six minutes.
 
McDaniel and Colletta both scored 10 points apiece. Long dished out seven assists in addition to his work on the glass. The Saints took advantage of their trips to the line and sank 14-of-17 at the stripe. Maryville's defense clamped down on Eureka and allowed the visitors to shoot just 36.2 percent from the field.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Jalen Gant – 13
Rebounds: Parker Long – 10
3-Point Field Goals: Dezmond McDaniel – 2
Assists: Parker Long – 7
Steals: Parker Long – 2
Blocked Shots: Chris White – 2
 
Records:
Maryville: 4-4
Eureka: 6-3
 
What's Next?
The Saints take a break for the holidays and are next in action at city-rival University of Missouri-St. Louis Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Game time at the Mark Twain Building is 7:30 p.m.