URBANA — The Illineks defeated Normal Calvary Baptist 64-44 in a conference game Monday behind a combined 35 points and 18 rebounds by senior Rachel Skoza and freshman Jamie Blue.

The win raises Uni's record to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

After a 13-10 first quarter, Uni took control with a 22-11 performance in the second to head into halftime with a 35-21 lead.

The momentum carried over into the third quarter as Uni outscored the Crusaders 16-6 to go up 51-27 as the final period began.

The 20-point margin of victory marked the team's fifth double-digit win in its last six games.

Skoza finished with a team-high 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks. Freshman Jamie Blue added 17 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and five assists.

Senior Joy Shapley and junior Michelle Wong both chipped in eight points. Junior Maritza Mestre scored five, while seniors Lizzy Warner, Jessi Sullivan, and juniors Erika Belmont and Rachel Harmon each added two.

Freshman Jamie Blue eyes two more points in Uni's home victory over Normal Calvary as teammates Sheri Grill (left) and Maritza Mestre (34) look on. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Shelby Koehl led the visitors with 25 points.

When the Illineks play conference opponent DeLand-Weldon on Thursday, Skoza will have a chance to become just the fifth Uni female basketball player to score 1,000 career points. As of now she needs just 11 to join the club.

The other Uni females who have reached the 1,000-point milestone are Sophia Neely ('86), Amanda Palla ('97), Lis Pollock ('99), and Molly Smith ('05).

Neely, an all-stater who went on to have a standout career at Dartmouth, holds the school record for most points: 1,967.

This season's team is also well on its way to being the winningest team that varsity head coach Rebecca Murphy has ever had.

With Murphy's best season being 14-9, this year's team has the potential to have 16 wins as they have already beaten most of the teams they will play the remainder of the season.

And, as Uni's Spirit Week continues, all home basketball games are half-price. On Thursday, the JV will play Cornerstone Christian at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity against DeLand-Weldon at 7:15.

Looking ahead to the postseason, Uni has been assigned to the St. Joseph-Ogden regional in the Class 2A playoffs. Besides host SJO, the other teams in the bracket are St. Thomas More, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, and Westville.

Regionals are scheduled to begin Feb. 9. The IHSA will announce playoff seedings on Jan. 22.

Junior guard Michelle Wong leads the Illineks down court against Normal Calvary. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Rachel Skoza goes in for a layup. The senior needs just 11 more points to become the fifth Uni female to score 1,000 career points. (click to enlarge)

At a Glance: Uni vs. Normal Calvary Baptist

Game Summary
Uni defeated Normal Calvary Baptist 64-44 in a conference game

• NC: 10 11 06 17 — 44
• Uni: 13 22 16 13 — 64

Uni Highlights

• Senior Rachel Skoza had 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks
• Freshman Jamie Blue had 17 points, eight rebounds, six steals, five assists
• Varsity record: 10-6 overall, 4-1 East Central Illinois Conference

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

• Rachel Skoza: 18 pts (9-0-0)
• Jamie Blue: 17 pts (8-0-1)
• Joy Shapley: 8 pts (4-0-0)
• Michelle Wong: 8 pts (3-0-2)
• Maritza Mestre: 5 pts (2-0-1)
• Erika Belmont: 2 pts (1-0-0)
• Rachel Harmon: 2 pts (1-0-0)
• Jessi Sullivan: 2 pts (1-0-0)
• Lizzy Warner: 2 pts (1-0-0)
• Heather Lin: 0 pts (0-0-0)
• Sheri Grill: 0 pts (0-0-0)

High scorer for Normal Calvary: Shelby Koehl 25 pts (10-0-5)

Uni Team Statistics (opponent totals in parentheses)

• Total points: 64 (44)
• 2-pointers made: 30 (18)
• 3-pointers made: 0 (0)
• Free throws made: 4 (8)