Another career night for Beyer in UHSP's win over Owls

FULTON, MO – Grace Beyer had another career night, one of many she has assembled in her incredible career, as she scored 51 points to lead the Eutectics past William Woods with a 69-62 victory on Thursday night at Anderson Arena. The triumph makes it five consecutive wins by UHSP over the Owls. Prior to UHSP having beaten William Woods now six times in the last seven meetings, the Owls owned a 14-game win streak over the Eutectics.

Beyer was sensational down the stretch scoring 21 points alone in the fourth quarter where UHSP outscored WWU 22-16 to salt away another win in American Midwest Conference play. The three-time reigning AMC Player of the Week scored her final seven points all from the free throw line where for the game she went 19-for-22.

The Eutectics entered the fourth quarter leading 47-44 after closing the third on a 7-0 run turning a 44-41 deficit into a three-point advantage. The game was still tight all the way to the 2:42 mark of the final quarter when the game was still in doubt with UHSP leading by just two, 60-58. That is when Beyer took over scoring her club's final nine points in a row while William Woods was mired in a stretch of hitting just two of their final ten field goals.

Trailing 31-29 at the half, the Purple and Gold got a key early bucket from Payten Foster in the third off an assist from Emily Coleman, one of four assists she had on the night. Elizabeth Allanach had a five point run with a bucket and a triple to make it a one-point game at 39-38 with 4:40 left and Beyer put the Eutectics ahead late in the third at 45-44 with 1:24 left before she made her assault on the UHSP record books in the fourth quarter. Coleman left the game in the third quarter after an unintentional collision with an Owls player, taking a shot in the face. Coleman staggered, stayed on her feet and made her way down floor before heading over the official altering him of the injury and immediately heading off the floor. Coleman did return and was able to finish the game on the floor.

Early in the game, William Woods enjoyed an 11-0 run in the first quarter turning a 6-4 deficit into a 15-6 lead. The Owls were able to finish the first quarter on top 17-10 after a quarter closing layup from Macie Edwards. Beyer was able to tie the game in the second at both 21 and 24 before Allanach connected from deep to give the visitors a 27-26 lead with 1:15 left in the half.

But the night belonged to Beyer and a number of the stats that she amassed on the night will rank in the top-10 all-time in UHSP history. The 19 made free throws are the second most made in a single game while the 22 attempted rank as the fourth most all time. Beyer now holds the record for the top six spots in made free throw with 23 being the most ever set last season and she now holds all but one of the top 10 spots in most attempted free throws, the most being 24 which she attempting twice in a single game. The 51 points mark the third time in her career that Beyer has surpassed the 50-point plateau. Her all-time career high stands of 59 set last year stands as the all-time UHSP record while she also scored 57 in a game back in 2021. Beyer holds the top 11 spots in the UHSP record book for most points scored in a single game. She was 16-for-29 on the night (55.2%) from the floor with the 16 made field being the second most in a single game. Beyer holds the record with 23 made field goals and now the top six spots in that category.

Owls head coach Terry Nash commented on the game by Beyer saying, "Grace Beyer is a hell of a player. He (UHSP HC Jeff Reis) does a great job putting her in position to be successful. She's a great player. She can score multiple ways and she's a handful."

Each team made 23 field goals on the night while the Owls made four threes to just two for the Eutectics. UHSP entered the night as the second-best three-point shooting team in the country and finished 2-for-9. The free throw line featured a big disparity with UHSP connecting on 21-of-28 while WWU was 10-for-12. The rebound edge went to the visitors 40-28 with the game featuring two ties and four lead changes.

Next up for the Eutectics (8-6, 3-1) will be the final game of a three-game road swing this week when they meet the Columbia Cougars (13-3, 5-1) on Saturday afternoon. At the moment, the Cougars occupy the top spot in the AMC regular season race as the mid-way point of the conference slate draws near. Head Coach Jeff Reis and his club return home next Thursday when they meet Central Baptist for the first time this season.