By Gargoyle sports staff
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, The OG, sports

BUCKLEY — Three Illineks scored in double figures as Uni defeated host Buckley Christ Lutheran 79-51 Tuesday night. The win raises the team's record to 4-4 overall, 1-0 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

Junior Mike Renner led Uni with 18 points, including a game-high four 3-pointers. Senior Michael Belmont hit two 3-pointers on the way to scoring 17, and junior Chumar Williams added 16, including three treys.

The Illineks were efficient from the line, making 14 of 16 free throws.

The visitors got off to an 8-0 start and never trailed. BCL narrowed Uni's lead to 10-6 in the first quarter, but that was the closest the Crusaders would get.

Uni led 38-26 at halftime and 63-38 at the end of three quarters. Eleven members of the varsity saw action.

The win was the Illineks' second against BCL this season but the first that counted as a conference game. Uni defeated the Crusaders 50-44 in the opening round of the Central Illinois Turkey Tourney Nov. 20. BCL is 1-8 overall, 0-3 in the ECIC.

Uni will host Oakwood Friday. JV action begins at 6 p.m.

VARSITY RECORD: 4-4 overall (3-4 against varsity competition), 1-0 East Central Illinois Conference
(Games at Kenney Gym are in bold)

Season Preview: A new era begins

Nov. 20: Buckley Christ Lutheran (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), W 50-44
— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 12 pts
— story: Uni wins season opener over Buckley Christ Lutheran

Nov. 21: Mahomet-Seymour JV (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), W 58-53
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 18 pts
— story: Illineks defeat Mahomet-Seymour JV in Turkey Tourney

Nov. 24: Bement (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney), L 54-46 (OT)
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 13 pts
— story: Illineks fall in overtime

Nov. 25: Martinsville (Uni/Atwood-Hammond Central Illinois Turkey Tourney, at A-H), L 51-48
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 24 pts
— story: Illineks go down to the wire again

Dec. 1: Shiloh, W 55-46
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 29 pts
— story: Illineks get back on winning track, defeat Shiloh

Dec. 5: at St. Thomas More, L 54-32
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 7 pts
— story: Illineks suffer tough road loss to crosstown rival

Dec. 9: Fisher, L 53-39
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts
— story: Renner scores 21 but Uni falls to Fisher

Dec. 12: at Buckley Christ Lutheran, W 79-51 *
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 18 pts
— story: see above

Remaining games: see schedule

*East Central Illinois Conference game