By Alan Liang

Gargoyle staff reporter

Posted Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, The OG, boys basketball & sports

URBANA — The Illineks remained in control of the East Central Illinois Conference race Friday night by defeating Buckley Christ Lutheran 62-55 at Kenney Gym.

The victory was Uni's third over BCL this season (one of the wins came in a tournament and doesn't count in the conference standings). The win raises the Illineks' overall record to 10-11 and their ECIC record to 6-1. BCL falls to 7-13, 4-6. The game was part of a home doubleheader with the girls varsity.

Junior forward Mike Renner, the team's leading scorer, hadn't practiced since Tuesday's win over Judah Christian because of a lingering ankle injury and illness. The 6-footer, averaging 17.3 points per game, didn't start for Uni, but he was among the first substitutes off the bench, and he assumed his normal role once he entered the game.

The first quarter started slow for Uni. With less than 3 minutes to go, both teams were tied at 3. The Illineks got into early foul trouble, giving the Crusaders the bonus before the end of the period. After an 8-2 run to end the quarter, Buckley led 11-5.

Things quickly turned around for the Illineks. Renner began the second quarter with a 3-pointer and a layup, which narrowed the score to 13-10. Freshman Dan Lilly sank another trey with 6 minutes left, leaving the Crusaders up only 15-13.

Renner finally evened the contest at 15 with 5:30 remaining. The Illineks then buckled down and finished the first half ahead 30-23.

Starting guards Chumar Williams and Michael Belmont and center Ammar Rizwan sat out substantial portions of the second quarter because of foul trouble, and Renner eventually joined them before the end of the half.

“We were sloppy,” head coach Joel Beesley said. “Defense was bad [and we] got into early foul trouble. … [BCL] did what we expected. We just didn't attack early on. We got stagnant.”

After intermission, the Illineks returned to the court with newfound energy. With 6:15 left in the third quarter, Uni held a 39-27 lead. However, the good times didn't last. Renner and junior Isaac Radnitzer both received their fourth fouls, which caused Beesley to sub them out.

With two of Uni's best players on the bench, the Crusaders made a comeback to end the period, narrowing the score to 47-42 in the Illineks' favor.

Uni played aggressively in the final quarter and built a 59-49 lead with 3:25 left. Radnitzer and Renner returned to the court with 3:06 remaining.

Heading into the final 90 seconds, Uni held a 59-52 advantage. The Crusaders soon resorted to fouling but were unable to avoid their fate. The Illineks stalled and won the game by 7.

The score was a little too close for the Illineks' comfort. Most of the players were not happy with their play.

“We were shoddy the whole night,” said Belmont, who finished with 11 points. “We were sloppy offensively and defensively.”

Added Williams, who led the team with 4 assists: “We played well enough to win this game, but we've got to step it up.”

Renner, who scored a game-high 19 points, was more optimistic.

“I think we'd lose this game earlier in the year,” he said, “but it's a testament to how we have improved.”

As Belmont pointed out, Uni's bench was forced to contribute sooner than usual.

“On the bright side, we had foul trouble early so a lot of people who don't get much playing time got on the court a lot,” he said.

Lilly came up big with 12 points, while senior center Nick Pratt added 6.

“Pratt and Lilly came [in] and were the momentum of the game,” said Williams.

Sophomore forward Alan Kessler continued his solid work inside by grabbing a team-high 4 rebounds, followed by Radnitzer, Williams, Pratt, and junior Frankie McFarland with 3 each. Senior Jeremy Pillow contributed 3 assists.

The Illineks will visit the Lexington Minutemen in a nonconference game Saturday. JV action begins at 6 p.m., with the varsity game at 7:30.

On Tuesday the boys will host Decatur Christian. Uni students who come to the game wearing orange or royal blue (not navy) will get in free in honor of Spirit Week. JV will play at 6, followed by the varsity at 7:30.

VARSITY RECORD: 10-11 overall, 6-1 East Central Illinois Conference
(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 (vs. Uni varsity) (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: Illineks go down to the wire again

Dec. 1: Shiloh, W 55-46
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 29 pts
— story: Illineks get back on winning track, defeat Shiloh

Dec. 5: at St. Thomas More, L 54-32
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 7 pts
— story: Illineks suffer tough road loss to crosstown rival

Dec. 9: Fisher, L 53-39
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts
— story: Renner scores 21 but Uni falls to Fisher

Dec. 12: at Buckley Christ Lutheran, W 79-51 *
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 18 pts
— story: Uni wins conference opener against Buckley Christ Lutheran

Dec. 15: Oakwood, L 74-61
— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 19 pts
— story: Oakwood denies Uni comeback bid

Dec. 27: Shiloh (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 65-61
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 17 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 27: Salt Fork (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 53-32
— leading scorer: Dan Lilly, 10 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 28: Heritage (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 62-48
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 15 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 28: Atwood-Hammond (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), W 62-51
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 24 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 29: Oakwood (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 52-50
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 17 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Jan. 5: at Decatur Christian (DC's “JV,” as explained in article linked below), W 66-52 *
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 15 pts
— story: Illineks remain unbeaten in conference play

Jan. 9: Normal Calvary Baptist, L 51-36 *

— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 11 pts

— story: Normal Calvary hands Uni first conference loss of season

Jan. 12: DeLand-Weldon, W 79-43 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 16 pts

— story: Uni rebounds from ECIC loss to win by 36

Jan. 16: at Paxton-Buckley-Loda, L 69-60 (OT)

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts

— story: Illineks lose a heartbreaker in overtime

Jan. 18: at Decatur Lutheran School Association, W 62-56 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts

— story: Uni defeats Decatur Lutheran, takes control of second place

Jan. 23: at Judah Christian, W 65-52 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 24 pts

— story: Illineks roll against Judah in showdown for conference lead

Jan. 26: Buckley Christ Lutheran, W 62-55 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 19 pts

— story: see above

Remaining games: see schedule

*East Central Illinois Conference game