Senior Lizzy Warner (in white) battles for the ball during Uni's 30-24 win over South Piatt. Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)

URBANA — A senior veteran and a freshman newcomer combined to lead Uni to a 30-24 season-opening varsity win over visiting South Piatt (Atwood-Hammond/Bement) tonight at Kenney Gym.

Senior Rachel Skoza and freshman Jamie Blue joined up for 21 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, and four blocks in the hard-fought nonconference victory.

The low-scoring affair was much different from last year's season opener at Atwood-Hammond, when Uni lost 66-59 in overtime.

This year, both teams were still under 20 points as the fourth quarter began. South Piatt took a 10-7 lead into halftime, and Uni led 15-13 going into the final period.

"I was actually pretty nervous before the game," said Skoza, "but now that we have a win under our belts I think I'll be playing a lot better and with more confidence."

Senior Joy Shapley agreed, saying, "There was definitely a lot of nervousness in the first quarter, and we made some mistakes, but I think that we really pulled it together by the end and started playing as a team."

With three minutes left, South Piatt had built a 22-20 advantage. That's when the combination of Blue and Skoza really kicked in.

The 5-foot-9 Blue, the leading scorer on last year's subfreshman team that made school history by recording Uni's first-ever IESA girls regional playoff victory, quickly showed she will have an impact on the varsity level.

Blue evened the score at 22 with a pair of free throws, and the Illineks never trailed again.

With 2:07 remaining, Skoza broke the tie with two free throws of her own. About 20 seconds later, Blue fed Skoza with a perfect pass that the senior converted into an easy basket, and Uni led 26-22.

Blue then scored on a layup with 30 seconds left, and junior guard Michelle Wong added two more free throws for the Illineks' final points. The visitors scored the game's last basket as time ran out.

Uni is 1-0 (0-0 in the East Central Illinois Conference), while South Piatt falls to 0-2.

The 6-foot-1 Skoza led the team with 11 points and was second to Blue in rebounds with six. She and Blue each had three steals and two blocks.

The freshman led the Illineks in rebounding with seven boards, and she was second to Skoza in points with 10.

Blue and Skoza shared the team lead in steals with Wong and senior Jessi Sullivan.

Shapley, a 6-foot-1 senior, recorded a team-best three blocks. Sullivan led Uni with two assists.

The girls play again on Saturday with two tournament games at Oakwood High School — 4:30 p.m. against Hoopeston Area and 7:30 p.m. against Shiloh.

The Illineks went 12-13 last season, 9-3 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

More UNI vs. SOUTH PIATT photos

Senior Rachel Skoza (20) scored a team-high 11 points and was second to Jamie Blue with six rebounds. Gargoyle photos by Katy Metcalf except where noted (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Senior Joy Shapley (21) led Uni with three blocks. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Junior Michelle Wong (13) directs the offense. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Senior Jessi Sullivan (14) had a team-high two assists. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Wong had four points and three steals. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Sullivan also had three steals, to go along with five points and three rebounds. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

Sheri Grill (11) is one of five seniors on the varsity. (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

At game's end, junior Rachel Harmon gives Jamie Blue a victory ride off the court. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click any photo to create your own slideshow)

UNI vs. South Piatt at a Glance

Game Summary

• Uni High (1-0, 0-0): 3 4 8 15 = 30
• South Piatt (0-2): 2 8 3 11 = 24
• Halftime: South Piatt 10, Uni 7

Uni Stat Leaders

• Points: Rachel Skoza — 11
• Rebounds: Jamie Blue — 7
• Assists: Jessi Sullivan — 2
• Blocks: Joy Shapley — 3
• Steals: Blue, Skoza, Sullivan, Michelle Wong — 3 each

Uni Stats

• Rachel Skoza: 11 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls, 2 blks
• Jamie Blue: 10 pts, 7 rebs, 3 stls, 2 blks, 1 asst
• Jessi Sullivan: 5 pts, 3 rebs, 3 stls, 2 asst
• Michelle Wong: 4 pts, 3 stls
• Joy Shapley: 0 pts, 5 rebs, 2 stls, 3 blks
• Uni Totals: 30 pts, 21 rebs, 14 stls, 7 blks, 3 assts