Boys basketball: Uni dominates BCL in 64-33 win

By Chris Yoder
Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 2:01pm

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UNI HIGH VS. BUCKLEY CHRIST LUTHERAN AT A GLANCE

When & Where: Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Buckley

Result: Uni 64, Buckley Christ Lutheran 33

Season Record: 7-3 overall, 2-0 East Central Illinois Conference

Summary: The outcome was never in doubt as Uni remained undefeated against the Crusaders. Senior Alan Kessler led the Illineks with 14 points, while junior Dan Lilly added 10. Sophomore Warren Skoza grabbed a team-high eight boards.

Next Game: Away at defending ECIC champion Decatur Christian on Friday, Jan. 9; JV action starts at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow

BUCKLEY — The Illineks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they took care of business Tuesday night in a 64-33 road victory over conference opponent Buckley Christ Lutheran.

The win improves Uni's overall record to 7-3 and their East Central Illinois Conference record to 2-0.

The visitors got off to a hot start, taking a 22-9 lead after the first quarter and a 43-22 halftime advantage.

The Illineks' defense dominated the second half en route to the victory, as they held BCL to just two points in the third quarter, and 11 points in the half.

For the first time this season, junior Dan Lilly did not lead or tie for the team lead in scoring. Instead, senior Alan Kessler led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds. Lilly had 10 points to go with five rebounds and four assists.

The early lead gave more people an opportunity to play than usual, as 12 players recorded statistics.

Sophomore Warren Skoza led the team with eight rebounds, adding six points and two blocks. His classmate Seth Bull didn't score, but he led the team with five assists. Junior Miles Bribriesco was the only player with more than one steal, adding four.

Uni has dominated BCL since the school was founded in 1997. The Illineks have won all 14 varsity matchups, and last season the JV won two games against the BCL varsity. The Illineks defeated BCL 80-21 earlier this year on their way to a Turkey Tourney Championship.

The Illineks next play on Friday at Decatur Christian. The defending ECIC champions knocked off Uni twice last season — first in a heartbreaking overtime home loss, and later in a 58-38 road loss.

Uni's next home matchup will be against Normal Calvary Baptist Tuesday during Spirit Week.

Game Summary

Uni: 22 21 11 10 — 64
BCL: 09 13 02 09 — 33

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

Alan Kessler: 14 pts (6-0-2), 7 rebs, 1 blk, 1 stl
Dan Lilly: 10 pts (3-1-1), 5 rebs, 2 assts, 1 stl
Neil Pearson: 6 pts (0-2-0), 1 reb
Costa Cangellaris: 6 pts (0-2-0), 4 rebs, 2 assts, 1 stl
Malcolm Taylor: 6 pts (3-0-0), 3 rebs
Will Fernandez: 6 pts (2-0-2), 3 rebs, 1 blk
Warren Skoza: 6 pts (2-0-2), 8 rebs, 2 blks, 1 stl
Miles Bribriesco: 4 pts (2-0-0), 2 rebs, 1 asst, 4 stls
Charlie Wan: 4 pts (2-0-0), 1 reb
Nile Hamer: 2 pts (0-0-2), 5 rebs, 1 asst, 2 blk, 1 stl
Seth Bull: 0 pts, 5 assts
Joseph Song: 0 pts, 2 assts
Jack Snyder: 0 pts

Uni Team Statistics (opponent totals in parentheses)

Total Points: 64 (33)
2-ptrs: 20 (8)
3-ptrs: 5 (3)
Free Throws: 9 (8)
Rebounds: 39 (not available)
Assists: 13 (n/a)
Blocks: 6 (n/a)
Steals: 9 (n/a)

Player	Total pts	3-ptrs made	FTs made	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals
Alan Kessler	14	0	2	7	0	1	1
Dan Lilly	10	1	1	5	2	0	1
Neil Pearson	6	2	0	1	0	0	0
Costa Cangellaris	6	2	0	4	2	0	1
Malcolm Taylor	6	0	0	3	0	0	0
Will Fernandez	6	0	2	3	0	1	0
Warren Skoza	6	0	2	8	0	2	1
Miles Bribriesco	4	0	0	2	1	0	4
Charlie Wan	4	0	0	1	0	0	0
Nile Hamer	2	0	2	5	1	2	1
Seth Bull	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
Joseph Song	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Jack Snyder	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Team Totals	64	5	9	39	13	6	9