Frankie McFarland takes control Thursday night during Uni's 62-56 win over conference
opponent Decatur Lutheran. (Gargoyle photo) (click to enlarge)

By Gargoyle sports staff

Posted Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, The OG, sports

DECATUR — Mike Renner scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead Uni to a 62-56 road win tonight against Decatur Lutheran School Association.

But the most important contribution the junior made all night came with 38.3 seconds left and had nothing to do with his double-digit scoring.

From the opening tip-off, both teams played with intensity. Not only did the Lions have the advantage of a large home crowd, they had momentum on their side. On Jan. 11 they defeated Normal Calvary Baptist 62-59 — the same NCB team that had dominated Uni 51-36 two days earlier.

Each squad entered tonight's game with just one loss in the East Central Illinois Conference. The winner would take sole possession of second place and be in a good position to challenge ECIC leader Judah Christian.

After trailing Uni 38-29 at halftime, LSA methodically chipped away at the Illineks' lead. Senior Dan Calleja led the Lions in their comeback, scoring 13 points in the second half despite playing with 3 fouls most of the way (the 6-footer finished with 4 fouls, 8 rebounds, and a game-high 22 points).

“We knew Calleja was one of their scoring threats,” head coach Joel Beesley said. “We knew they were a physical and aggressive team. We matched that in the first half. But in the second half we let them back in the game.”

The Lions used their aggressiveness to record 16 steals on the night, including 4 by Calleja and 5 by 6-foot-2 junior James Meers.

With 1:52 remaining, Calleja converted an Illinek turnover into 2 points, cutting Uni's lead to 57-56. Sophomore Alan Kessler, who had a breakthrough game for the Illineks, responded with a short jumper 24 seconds later.

For the next half minute LSA put up a barrage of shots without success. Uni took possession with 57.6 seconds on the clock, ahead 59-56. The Illineks looked to be in good shape, but when play resumed after a timeout the Lions quickly stole the ball. Fifty-five seconds remained.

For Uni the game suddenly threatened to turn into a repeat of Tuesday night's loss to Paxton-Buckley-Loda, when PBL forced overtime with just 2.1 seconds left en route to a 69-60 win.

But 17 seconds later, Renner made his key play. A Lions shot bounced off the rim and Renner grabbed the rebound, putting LSA in a position where it had to foul repeatedly.

Junior Isaac Radnitzer converted the first crucial free throw with 23.1 seconds left, making it a two-possession game for the Lions. Ten seconds later Renner added two more shots from the line to seal the win.

The victory raises the Illineks' record to 8-11 overall and 4-1 in the ECIC. LSA drops to 8-10, 4-2.

It was the second straight game in which Renner finished with 21 points. Kessler added 13, followed by Radnitzer with 11. The 6-foot-3 Kessler was especially impressive, connecting on shots at key moments to prevent LSA from going on long scoring runs.

“Alan and Isaac give us our best big men who can handle the ball,” Beesley said.

Another big man, 6-2 junior Frankie McFarland, also made important contributions inside that went beyond the single free throw he converted.

“Frankie makes things happen when he's in there,” Beesley said.

Junior Chumar Williams continued his strong play at point guard, recording 8 assists.

The 6-1 Radnitzer led the team in rebounds with 8.

Renner grabbed 7 boards. The 6-footer, who entered the game averaging a team-high 16.7 points, also contributed 6 assists and 5 steals.

The Illinek win sets the stage for a showdown Tuesday night in Champaign between Uni and Judah Christian, which is undefeated in the conference.

“They're aggressive and hungry,” Beesley said of the crosstown Tribe. “Everyone [in the ECIC] is hungry to beat us because we've won the conference the last two years. Judah has a veteran team back. It's a big game. If we win, both of us will have one loss, and we'll have a real shot [at the title].”

VARSITY RECORD: 8-11 overall, 4-1 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 (vs. Uni varsity) (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: Uni wins conference opener against Buckley Christ Lutheran

Dec. 15: Oakwood, L 74-61
— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 19 pts
— story: Oakwood denies Uni comeback bid

Dec. 27: Shiloh (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 65-61
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 17 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 27: Salt Fork (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 53-32
— leading scorer: Dan Lilly, 10 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 28: Heritage (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 62-48
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 15 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 28: Atwood-Hammond (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), W 62-51
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 24 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Dec. 29: Oakwood (Hayden's Athletic Classic at Heritage H.S.), L 52-50
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 17 pts
— story: Uni finishes eighth out of 12 teams in holiday tourney

Jan. 5: at Decatur Christian (DC's “JV,” as explained in article linked below), W 66-52 *
— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 15 pts
— story: Illineks remain unbeaten in conference play

Jan. 9: Normal Calvary Baptist, L 51-36 *

— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 11 pts

— story: Normal Calvary hands Uni first conference loss of season

Jan. 12: DeLand-Weldon, W 79-43 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 16 pts

— story: Uni rebounds from ECIC loss to win by 36

Jan. 16: at Paxton-Buckley-Loda, L 69-60 (OT)

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts

— story: Illineks lose a heartbreaker in overtime

Jan. 18: at Decatur Lutheran School Association, W 62-56 *

— leading scorer: Mike Renner, 21 pts

— story: see above

Remaining games: see schedule

*East Central Illinois Conference game