URBANA — In a finish worthy of a top 10 spot on SportsCenter, sophomore Warren Skoza led Uni to a thrilling 52-50 overtime victory Monday night against Arthur-Okaw Christian at Kenney Gym.

With 20 seconds left in OT and the score tied at 50, Skoza blocked an Arthur-Okaw shot, giving the Illineks an opportunity for the final basket.

Uni set up a designed play to get junior Dan Lilly a three-pointer at the top of the key, and he got the shot off with about three seconds to go, but the ball bounced off the rim.

Then Skoza, in the words of head coach Joel Beesley, "soared in the air and banked in a four-foot tip-in high off the backboard as time expired," giving Uni the two-point victory.

"[Skoza]'s been real good, along with the other bigs," said Lilly. "Everyone plays a different part in the team, and we need everyone in order to pull out wins like that."

Both sides battled fiercely throughout regulation. The visitors jumped out to an early 11-4 lead and had an 18-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Uni narrowed the gap in the second quarter for a 25-22 halftime deficit.

The Illineks managed to take a slim two-point lead in the third quarter, but Arthur-Okaw was able to take those points back, sending the game into overtime deadlocked at 46.

In the extra period, both teams struggled to score, each managing only four points before Skoza’s heroics ended the game in a Uni nonconference victory.

"It just came down to getting a couple stops," said Lilly. "We got a few lucky breaks. They were a solid team, and it was good to get a win over a high-level team."

Lilly led Uni with 23 points, including three treys. He also grabbed six rebounds and recorded two steals. Skoza had 10 points to go with six boards and a team-high three blocks.

Christian Lowry paced the visitors with 16 points, including a trio of three-pointers.

Senior Alan Kessler (eight points), sophomore Will Fernandez (four), junior Nile Hamer (four) and junior Neil Pearson (three) were the only other Illineks to score. Senior Malcolm Taylor led the team with three steals.

The win improves Uni to 10-5 overall, with a 4-1 mark in the East Central Illinois Conference.

The Illineks begin a three-game road stretch Thursday when they take on ECIC opponent Decatur Lutheran. Uni's next home game is Jan. 30 against conference foe Buckley Christ Lutheran.

Also on Monday, Uni's JV lost a narrow contest to the Arthur-Okaw Christian JV, falling 35-29.

At a Glance: Uni vs. Arthur-Okaw Christian

Game Summary
Uni defeated Arthur-Okaw Christian 52-50 (OT) in a nonconference game

• AO: 18 07 08 13 04 — 50
• Uni: 12 10 13 11 06 — 52

JV: Arthur-Okaw defeated Uni 35-29

Uni Highlights

• Junior Dan Lilly scored 23 points, including three three-pointers, and six rebounds
• Sophomore Warren Skoza had 10 points, six rebounds, three blocks
• Skoza's final block, with 20 seconds left in overtime, gave Uni possession in a 50-50 game; he made the game-winning basket as time expired
• Varsity record: 10-5 overall, 4-1 East Central Illinois Conference

Uni Individual Statistics
Player: Total Points (2-pointers made - 3-pointers made - free throws made)

• Dan Lilly: 23 pts (5-3-4), 6 rebs, 2 stls
• Warren Skoza: 10 pts (5-0-0), 6 rebs, 1 asst, 3 blks
• Alan Kessler: 8 pts (4-0-0), 2 rebs, 2 assts
• Will Fernandez: 4 pts (2-0-0), 1 asst
• Nile Hamer: 4 pts (2-0-0), 3 rebs, 1 asst
• Neil Pearson: 3 pts (0-1-0), 1 reb, 2 assts
• Miles Bribriesco: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Seth Bull: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Costa Cangellaris: 0 pts (0-0-0), 2 rebs, 2 assts
• Jack Snyder: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Joseph Song: 0 pts (0-0-0), 2 assts, 1 stl
• Malcolm Taylor: 0 pts (0-0-0), 4 rebs, 1 asst, 3 stls
• Charlie Wan: 0 pts (0-0-0)

Christian Lowry led Arthur-Okaw Christian with 16 pts (3-3-1)

Uni Team Statistics (opponent totals in parentheses)

• Total Points: 52 (50)
• 2-pointers made: 18 (12)
• 3-pointers made: 4 (8)
• Free throws made: 4 (2)
• Rebounds: 24 (not available)
• Assists: 12 (n/a)
• Blocks: 3 (n/a)
• Steals: 6 (n/a)