Hickman rallies past Eureka

Emily Miller scored 12 of her game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Hickman Kewpies rallied from 10 points down in the final period for a 72-67 victory against Eureka in the first round of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational on Friday afternoon at Rackers Fieldhouse.

Eureka used a 6-0 run to build a 58-48 edge with 6:30 remaining in the game. That's when Hickman implemented a fullcourt press, forcing Eureka into eight turnovers the rest of the way.

Hickman used a 12-3 run over the next two-plus minutes to get within 61-60 with 4:02 remaining. The Kewpies finally took a 63-62 lead with Kendahl Adams completed a conventional three-point play with 3:44 to go.

Mallory Proffer knocked down a 3-pointer from the baseline on Eureka's next possession to give the Lady Wildcats a 65-63 edge. Hickman responded with six straight points to assume control. Miller's 3 sparked the little run, giving Hickman a 66-65 lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Hickman led 19-18 after one quarter before Eureka took a 36-35 advantage into halftime and held a 50-46 edge heading into the final stanza.

Jordan Matthews added 20 points for the Kewpies, while Adams chipped in with 12.

Kelsey Tepen paced four Lady Wildcats in double figures with 14 points. Torie Allen and Proffer added 12 points while Lindsey McCoy had 10.

Hickman (7-0) takes on St. Joseph Benton, a 38-35 winner against Fatima, in a 5:30 p.m. semifinal today at Rackers Fieldhouse. Eureka (6-1) faces Fatima in a 2:30 p.m. loser's bracket semifinal.