Beyer Scores 38 in Loss Against Eagles

Grace Beyer has made another great stride in her quest to break the NAIA women's basketball career scoring record, putting up 38 points in the Eutectics' 85-76 American Midwest Conference (AMC) loss to the Williams Baptist University Eagles (21-4, 14-2 AMC) in Arkansas on Saturday. With a total of 3,802 career points, Beyer needs just 54 more to break the 34-year-old record of 3,855 set by Miriam Walker-Samuels at Claflin University.

Saturday's game was the second half of an AMC home-and-home series in which the Eagles, who currently sit tied for the lead in the AMC, had the advantage, having won 94-75 over the Eutectics in St. Louis back in January. The Eutectics started Saturday's game on top, shooting lights out from the perimeter, including threes from Elizabeth Allanach and Emily Coleman (2), to take an 11-7 lead after five minutes. When WBU's Carmen Taylor's three tied the score at 13, Beyer kicked it into high gear to score nine points in an 11-2 scoring run by the Eutectics in the next three-and-a-half minutes to finish the period up 24-14.

The Eagles, however, returned to the court with renewed vigor in the second period. The home team increased defensive pressure as the game continued, and after back-to-back steals, WBU's Charmen Taylor pitched in two free throws to take over the lead a 31-30 with 4:30 left in the half. Beyer followed up with an and-one to salvage the lead, and the Eutectics hung on to a 38-35 lead at halftime.

The third quarter was a battle, but UHSP held onto the lead in the early minutes. After a steal by Coleman led to a triple by Beyer, the Purple and Gold was up 48-41 at 6:11. But, after a three-minute dry spell by the Eutectics, the Eagles had clawed their way back into the lead at 49-48. A triple from Samantha Matthews at 1:48 put the Euts up 54-52, but with less than a minute left in the quarter, WBU's Kaylee Clark responded with her own triple to grab the lead for the home team for good. The score was 62-54 heading into the final 10 minutes.

The Eutectics fell behind by 10 points early in the final quarter (68-58 at 6:34), but a Beyer layup and five free throws (Beyer 3, Matthews 2) got them within three points in just over a minute (68-65 at 5:45). A triple from Coleman at 2:38 off a Beyer assist pulled the Euts within one point (75-74) at 2:38. But, the Eagles responded with an 11-2 scoring run to clinch the victory at 85-76.

Despite 46.3% field goal shooting and 11 three-point field goals, the Eutectics succumbed to the Eagles pressure with 28 turnovers that led to 35 points for the home team.    

As mentioned, Beyer led all scorers with 38 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing off four assists. Coleman went 5-for-8 from the arc to score 15 points and racked up four steals and four assists. Matthews knocked in 10 points, while Allanach pitched in seven, and Payten Foster dropped in six points and grabbed a season-high 12 boards.

Kaylee Clark led the Eagles on offense with 33 points and seven rebounds, while teammate Charmen Taylor recorded a double double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

The Eutectics, now 14-12 overall and 9-7 in the AMC, currently sit in fourth place in the Conference standings heading into the last two regular-season games at home. On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Eutectics look to double down on their earlier-season victory over fifth-seed Cottey College (16-10, 8-8 AMC) at 5:30 p.m. in the UHSP gymnasium.

Following the conclusion of the game, fans are invited to stay for a presentation of the 2022-23 NAIA All-American banner and plaque to Grace Beyer on center court.