By Alan Liang
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, The OG, sports

URBANA — The Oakwood Comets handed the Illineks a 74-61 defeat tonight in a nonconference game that was much closer than the 13-point margin suggests.

With the loss, Uni heads into winter break with a 4-5 record.

The host Illineks began slowly. The Comets made two 3-pointers within the first minute. Uni didn't get on the board until almost 2 minutes into the game, when senior Michael Belmont scored at the 6:05 mark.

With 4 minutes left in the first quarter Uni trailed 12-4, but the Illineks weren't going to give up. They got their game together and scored 13 points within the next two minutes. By the end of the period, Uni led 23-20.

The game wasn't as fast-paced and intense during the second quarter. The Comets went into halftime ahead 36-33.

In the third quarter the Illineks matched Oakwood's baskets and narrowed the Comets' advantage to 49-47.

One minute into the final period, Oakwood stretched its lead to 51-47. Senior Mike Renner then tried furiously to score, and out of his determination he grabbed 3 rebounds off of one shot and in the process knocked over much of the opposing team. However, he was unable to sink any shots before a technical was called on head coach Joel Beesley for yelling at the referees.

With about 4 minutes left, the Comets led 60-52. But it seemed as if Uni would come back again as Belmont and Renner combined to score 7 points, narrowing Oakwood's lead to 60-59 with 2:41 remaining.

However, the Illineks weren't so lucky this time. Uni fouled Oakwood several times, and out of the visitors' final 14 points, 10 were from the free-throw line. Junior Austin Rundus scored the last points for the Illineks with 1:15 left.

Belmont made a good showing with a team-high 19 points, followed by Renner with 18.

The boys will resume play Dec. 27 with tournament action at Heritage High School.

VARSITY RECORD: 4-5 overall (3-5 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: Uni wins conference opener against Buckley Christ Lutheran

Dec. 15: Oakwood, L 74-61
— leading scorer: Michael Belmont, 19 pts
— story: see above

Remaining games: see schedule

*East Central Illinois Conference game