Boys basketball: Illineks overwhelm defending conference champ Decatur Christian

By Gargoyle Sports Staff
Published: Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 5:44pm

Tags:

UNI HIGH VS. DECATUR CHRISTIAN AT A GLANCE

When & Where: Friday, Jan. 9, at Decatur

Result: Uni 58, Decatur Christian 32

Season Record: 8-3 overall, 3-0 East Central Illinois Conference

Summary: After a slow start, Uni put the game away with a dominating 18-5 performance in the second quarter. Junior Dan Lilly was on fire from three-point range, dropping five treys as part of his game-high 17 points. He also had four steals. The win was Uni's third straight, all of which have been by more than 20 points.

Next Game: Away at nonconference opponent Lexington tonight; JV action starts at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow

DECATUR — Uni set up a Spirit Week showdown for the East Central Illinois Conference lead by handily defeating Decatur Christian 58-32 Friday night.

Junior Dan Lilly led the way over the defending ECIC champion Warriors by hitting five three-pointers en route to a game-high 17 points. He also recorded four steals and one assist.

The win raises Uni's record to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Warriors fell to 3-5, 1-2.

The Illineks will take on Normal Calvary Baptist, also 3-0 in the ECIC, Tuesday at Kenney Gym as part of Uni's Spirit Week festivities. The Crusaders remained undefeated in the conference Friday night by defeating Judah Christian 77-61 behind Grant Touma's career-high 43 points.

Unlike last year, when Decatur Christian handed Uni its only two ECIC losses, the Warriors entered Friday's game without 6-5 Demeatrio Wade, the now-graduated transfer from Jamaica who was their mainstay in 2007-08.

After a sluggish start, the Illineks took control with an 18-5 second quarter and headed into the locker room ahead 29-12.

They outscored Decatur Christian 29-20 in the second half to finish with their third straight win, all of which have been by more than 20 points. The Illineks defeated ECIC foe Buckley Christ Lutheran by 31 on Tuesday (64-33) and nonconference opponent Oakwood by 24 on Dec. 19 (82-58).

Senior forward Alan Kessler joined Lilly in double digits, putting up 10 points to go along with his four rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist.

Sophomore Warren Skoza made his presence known in the paint. The 6-foot-6 center grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and blocked three shots. Senior forward Malcolm Taylor contributed a team-best four assists.

The Illineks travel to Lexington tonight for a nonconference game. The Minutemen are 5-5. They lost Friday night to Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland in overtime 59-54.

Game Summary
Uni: 11 18 14 15 — 58
DC: 07 05 11 09 — 32

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

Dan Lilly: 17 pts (1-5-0), 1 reb, 4 stls
Alan Kessler: 10 pts (5-0-0), 4 rebs, 1 asst, 2 blks, 2 stls
Warren Skoza: 7 pts (2-0-3), 8 rebs, 1 asst, 3 blks
Will Fernandez: 6 pts (3-0-0), 4 rebs, 1 asst
Malcolm Taylor: 6 pts (3-0-0), 1 reb, 4 assts, 2 stls
Miles Bribriesco: 4 pts (1-0-2), 1 reb
Nile Hamer: 4 pts (2-0-0), 4 rebs, 1 asst, 2 blks
Neil Pearson: 2 pts (0-0-2), 3 rebs, 1 asst
Charlie Wan: 2 pts (1-0-0), 2 rebs, 1 asst, 1 stl
Seth Bull: 0 pts (0-0-0), 1 reb
Costa Cangellaris: 0 pts (0-0-0), 1 reb, 3 assts
Jack Snyder: 0 pts (0-0-0), 1 stl
Joseph Song: 0 pts (0-0-0), 2 assts

Uni Team Statistics (opponent totals in parentheses)

Total Points: 58 (32)
2-ptrs made: 18 (11)
3-ptrs made: 5 (1)
Free throws made: 7 (7)
Rebounds: 30 (not available)
Assists: 15 (n/a)
Blocks: 7 (n/a)
Steals: 10 (n/a)

Player	Total pts	3-ptrs made	FTs made	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals
Dan Lilly	17	5	0	1	0	0	4
Alan Kessler	10	0	0	4	1	2	2
Warren Skoza	7	0	3	8	1	3	0
Will Fernandez	6	0	0	4	1	0	0
Malcolm Taylor	6	0	0	1	4	0	2
Miles Bribriesco	4	0	2	1	0	0	0
Nile Hamer	4	0	0	4	1	2	0
Neil Pearson	2	0	2	3	1	0	0
Charlie Wan	2	0	0	2	1	0	1
Seth Bull	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Costa Cangellaris	0	0	0	1	3	0	0
Jack Snyder	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Joseph Song	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Team Totals	58	5	7	30	15	7	10