Beyer Scores 48 in Eutectics’ Solid Win over Owls

Led by a 48-point effort by Grace Beyer, the Eutectic women's basketball team earned another American Midwest Conference (AMC) victory over the William Woods University Owls (Mo.) on Thursday night in the UHSP gymnasium. The Eutectics, now 13-9 overall and 8-4 in the AMC, reenforced their fourth-place position in the AMC standings ahead of fifth-place WWU (now 12-9, 6-6) with this 83-72 victory over the Owls -their second this season.

The Owls marked the board first with a triple by Jersee Wren and then held a four-point lead over the Eutectics for most of the first four minutes of play. A three from Elizabeth Allanach at 5:51 (assist from Beyer) closed the gap to 11-10, and two Beyer jump shots pushed the home team ahead 14-11 at 4:23. The Eutectics held their ground for the rest of the quarter, finishing up with a 22-19 lead.

Up 24-23 in the second period, the Eutectics went on a 12-point streak, including threes from Beyer, Samantha Matthews, and Karsyn Morgan in a span of three minutes to break the lead wide open. After holding the Owls to eight points in the period, the Eutectics held a comfortable 40-27 lead at the half.

The Purple and Gold maintained a 10-point lead through the third quarter, outscoring the Owls 19-18 to make it 59-45 heading into the final 10 minutes. The Owls picked up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter, as well as their offensive effectiveness, going 11-for-18 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from the arc. But, the added defensive pressure led to more opportunities at the charity stripe for Grace Beyer, who sunk 17-of-18 free throw attempts in the final quarter.

Beyer finished the game at 21-of-22 from the line, 12-for-25 from the floor, and 3-for-6 from the arc to add 48 points to her season total, now at 748. With six games left in the regular season, Beyer needs 197 points to break the NAIA record for most career points (3,855) held by Miriam Walker of Claflin University (S.C.) since 1990.

Beyer also led the Eutectics in assists with seven, and brought down six rebounds in tonight's game.

Matthews added 14, Allanach had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Morgan and Payten Foster each had four points.  

Wren led the Owls with 20 points, while teammate Sydney Booker picked up a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Eutectics shot at 50% from deep (10-for-20) and outrebounded the Owls 39-33.   

The Eutectics will next host the AMC-No. 2 team Columbia College this Saturday in the UHSP gymnasium at 1 p.m.