Junior center Nile Hamer had four points and six rebounds coming off the bench for Uni. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Junior Dan Lilly takes aim against Judah. He broke Mike Renner's season record for treys and now has 65 for the year. (click to enlarge)

URBANA — It may have been the pregame festivities honoring the seniors in their final home game.

It may have been the home crowd, as loud as it’s been all year.

It may have been the chance to clinch a conference title.

Or it may have been the realization that they were playing in their last game of the regular season.

Whatever it was, the Illineks brought their A-game tonight in a convincing 65-54 conference win over Judah Christian on Senior Night at Kenney Gym.

With the win, the Illineks (16-7, 10-2) clinched a share of the East Central Illinois Conference title, for the fourth time in the last five years. Uni shared the title with Normal Calvary Baptist. It's the sixth straight year the Illineks have won 15 or more games.

Before the contest, Uni honored five seniors for their contributions to the basketball program: players Alan Kessler, Malcolm Taylor, and Charlie Wan; student assistant Daniel Borup, who also sang the National Anthem tonight; and announcer/student assistant Adam Tiouririne.

Joining the pregame festivities were members of Uni High's state champion chess team: coach Chris Merli; seniors Gordon Ruan, Greg Atherton, Alan Liang, Brian Wang, and Richard Wang; juniors Daniel Cheng and Danny Ge; sophomore Michael Meyer; and freshman Kathy Qiu.

"I was a little nervous to start with everyone’s eyes on you," said Kessler.

Yet the game itself was no less exciting than the pregame ceremonies. Kessler scored Uni's first eight points, and Uni led 13-8 after one quarter of play. Kessler would finish with 18 points, six rebounds, and two steals.

"Alan has been a very consistent player," said head coach Joel Beesley. "Always we knew he had the ability to score; he had a nice shot, but just tonight again — the last couple of games — he's been very aggressive on the boards and with his jump shot."

The Illineks' play continued to keep the crowd on their feet in the second quarter. Junior Dan Lilly hit his 62nd three-pointer of the season with 1:58 remaining in the half, breaking 2008 alum Mike Renner's record set two seasons ago. Lilly finished with 18 points, including four three-pointers, and now has 65 treys on the season.

Junior Alex Berry led the Tribe with a game-high 22 points.

Judah was finally able to break through Uni’s stifling defense in the second half, but the Illineks kept pace. The visitors scored 19 points in both the third and fourth quarters, while Uni increased its own offensive output — 18 in the third, 21 in the fourth — en route to the 11-point victory.

"We had a great atmosphere having a crosstown rival," said Kessler. "It was a little sad going off the court, you feel that you’re never gonna get back on it again, that was kind of a downer. I think it was our defense that prevailed in the end."

Taylor had a solid night in his final game as a starter, scoring eight points and recording a game-high seven assists. He put this year's Senior Night in perspective.

"You know I've seen it every year," said Taylor. "I've been here and I'm like, 'Wow, one day I want to be like that.' It didn't really hit me until I went out there. … A lot hit me, but it was a happy celebration time — everybody was happy, so it was nice."

It was also the final call for Tiouririne.

"I think I was just focusing on getting my job done like during a regular game," said the senior known as "Voice" — as in Voice of the Illineks. "After the game it started to set in a little bit that this is going to be my last night. I think it was excellent. I think I had one mistake, so I'm feeling good. When I started, I used to make many more. It was a great evening. … We were happy to have such a great atmosphere tonight."

The Illineks didn't need a homecourt advantage when they beat Judah earlier this year 65-38, but it didn’t hurt having one Friday. The victory was Uni's 11th straight over Judah, dating back to the 2001-02 season.

"I think the enthusiasm in the gym was outstanding," said Beesley, "and it was a great, great atmosphere for basketball. And I think [Judah was] able to handle our pressure a little more tonight than they were last time where we got running and got the momentum. They handled themselves on the road very well tonight and both teams played well."

The Uni JV played their final game of the season, falling to the Judah JV 43-31.

The Illineks, seeded No. 4 in the IHSA Class 2A regional playoffs, will take on No. 5 St. Thomas More on Tuesday in a first-round matchup. The game will be played in the new gym at Monticello Middle School, 2015 E. Washington St.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m.

More photos: Senior Night vs. Judah Christian

Posters honoring the boys basketball team's five seniors greeted the crowd in Kenney Gym. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge and create your own slideshow)

Senior Night festivities began with the introduction of Uni High's IHSA state champion chess team. Coach Chris Merli leads the team onto the court, followed by senior captain Gordon Ruan, senior Alan Liang, senior Greg Atherton, and freshman Kathy Qiu.

From left, Coach Merli and the nine team members who played in the Feb. 13-14 state tournament at the Peoria Civic Center: Ruan, Liang, Atherton, Qiu, senior Brian Wang, junior Daniel Cheng, junior Danny Ge, senior Richard Wang, and sophomore Michael Meyer.

Senior forward Alan Kessler with parents Robert and Susan Kessler.

Senior point guard Malcolm Taylor with parents Thad and Deb Taylor.

Senior guard Charlie Wan with parents Kevin and Lydia Wan.

Senior student assistant Daniel Borup with parents Cindy Duffy and Rick Borup.

Senior public address announcer and student assistant Adam Tiouririne with stepmother Shahrazed Rebai and sister Lili Tiouririne.

It's showtime! Charlie Wan and Alan Kessler greet each other during pregame introductions.

At a glance: Uni vs. Judah Christian

Game Summary
Uni hosted Judah Christian in a conference home game

• JC: 08 08 19 19 — 54
• Uni: 13 13 18 21 — 65

Game Highlights
Varsity record: 16-7 overall, 10-2 ECIC

• The win gave Uni a share of the East Central Illinois Conference title with Normal Calvary Baptist; both teams went 10-2 in the ECIC
• It was Senior Night for five Illineks: players Alan Kessler, Malcolm Taylor, Charlie Wan; student assistant Daniel Borup; and announcer/student assistant Adam Tiouririne
• Kessler scored the game's first eight points and finished with 18 points, six rebounds, two steals
• Junior Dan Lilly tied Kessler for a team-high 18 points along with three rebounds and four assists
• Lilly's first trey of the game set a Uni season record for most three-pointers, breaking 2008 alum Mike Renner's mark of 61 set in 2006-07
• Lilly hit three more treys, giving him 65 for the season
• JV game: Judah Christian defeated Uni 43-31

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

• Alan Kessler: 18 pts (7-0-4), 6 rebs, 2 stls
• Dan Lilly: 18 pts (2-4-2), 3 rebs, 4 assts
• Malcolm Taylor: 8 pts (3-0-2), 2 rebs, 7 assts
• Warren Skoza: 6 pts (3-0-0), 5 rebs, 1 blk
• Neil Pearson: 5 pts (0-1-2), 2 rebs, 2 assts, 1 stl
• Costa Cangellaris: 4 pts (0-1-1), 1 reb
• Nile Hamer: 4 pts (2-0-0), 6 rebs, 1 blk
• Will Fernandez: 2 pts (1-0-0), 1 reb
• Miles Bribriesco: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Seth Bull: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Jack Snyder: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Joseph Song: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Charlie Wan: 0 pts (0-0-0), 1 reb, 1 stl

For Judah Christian, Alex Berry had a game-high 22 points (8-1-3) and Nick Hoisington had 10 points (4-0-2)

Uni Team Statistics
Opponent totals in parentheses

• Total Points: 65 (54)
• 2-pointers made: 18 (17)
• 3-pointers made: 6 (4)
• Free throws made: 11 (8)
• Rebounds: 27 (not available)
• Assists: 13 (n/a)
• Blocks: 2 (n/a)
• Steals: 4 (n/a)