Uni lost the Central Illinois Turkey Tourney's third-place game Saturday night to Martinsville after missing a last-second shot that would have pushed the game into overtime

By Gargoyle sports staff
Posted Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, The OG, sports

ATWOOD — For the second consecutive night, an overtime game seemed in store for the Uni boys.

On Friday, the Illineks lost to Bement 54-46 in OT in a showdown to determine which of the teams would play Atwood-Hammond in the championship game of the Central Illinois Turkey Tourney.

Now, trailing 51-48 with 8.1 seconds left in Saturday night's third-place game against Martinsville, the lllineks stood around head coach Joel Beesley and listened as he gave instructions for what they hoped would be a game-tying 3-point play.

When action resumed, junior Mike Renner inbounded the ball to Chumar Williams. The junior point guard scanned the court for an open teammate. He spotted senior Michael Belmont, who took the pass and stepped behind the 3-point line. Belmont's shot hit the rim but bounced off as time ran out, handing Uni its second consecutive loss.

The Illineks finished fourth in the eight-team Turkey Tourney, which was co-hosted by Uni and Atwood-Hammond. All of Saturday's games were played at Atwood-Hammond High School.

Renner led the Illineks with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Belmont added 13 points. Junior Austin Rundus made one 3-pointer.

With the loss, Uni's record falls to 2-2.

The fourth quarter featured a remarkable stretch of basketball for both teams. The quarter began with Uni down by 8 points, 34-26. With 5 minutes, 22 seconds left, Martinsville was still up by the same margin, 39-31.

But then Williams scored on a layup at the 5:12 mark, and Renner hit a 3-pointer with 4:38 left. Suddenly the Illineks were within 3, and the small Uni contingent in the stands began making some big noise.

Uni continued to inch its way toward the lead. With 3:21 left, Renner made a layup and was fouled. His free throw brought Uni within 2 points, 41-39.

Half a minute later, another Renner 3-pointer gave Uni its first lead since early in the second quarter. Renner, who was fouled, added two free throws to expand the margin to 44-41 with 2:31 left.

With Renner continuing his hot streak, Uni widened its lead to 48-43 with 1:33 remaining. But that would be it for the Illinek offense. Despite Uni's torrid 22-point performance in the fourth quarter, Martinsville would score the final 8 points to come away with the win.

Next up: The Illineks will play Shiloh Friday night at Kenney Gym.

VARSITY RECORD: 2-2 overall (1-2 against varsity competition)
(Games at Kenney Gym are in bold)

Season Preview: A new era begins

Nov. 20: Buckley Christ Lutheran (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), W 50-44
— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 12 pts
— story: Uni wins season opener over Buckley Christ Lutheran

Nov. 21: Mahomet-Seymour JV (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), W 58-53
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 18 pts
— story: Illineks defeat Mahomet-Seymour JV in Turkey Tourney

Nov. 24: Bement (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), L 54-46 (OT)
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 13 pts
— story: Illineks fall in overtime

Nov. 25: Martinsville (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney, at A-H), L 51-48
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 24 pts
— story: see above