[Note to readers: For a breakdown of stats from this game, click here. For season results and remaining games, click here. Listen to postgame comments from senior Aran Yoo at right.]

URBANA — Although the outcome in the win-loss column was the same, today's contest between Uni and the visiting Donovan Wildcats was a far cry from last year's, when the Illineks lost 84-41.

A year ago Uni was missing its leading scorer and rebounder, Rachel Skoza, due to an injury to her shooting hand. In addition, second-leading rebounder Jessi Sullivan and key contributor Kaylie Dastrup both sat out the game because of illness.

Today Skoza and Sullivan were in the lineup (Dastrup has since moved), and the team's play bore little resemblance to last year's performance, when the Illineks gave up 44 turnovers.

Although Donovan won today's nonconference game 47-34, the Illineks cut their turnovers almost in half (23) and didn't fall behind by double digits until less than 4 minutes remained in the contest.

"Last year they [Donovan] scored on every transition," Uni head coach Rebecca Murphy said. "This year our half-court defense was a lot stronger. They had to work for their points."

The Illineks are now 8-10 overall, while Donovan improves to 13-6.

Uni began the game strong, surprising the Wildcats by jumping out to a 13-7 first-quarter lead. But the visitors methodically reduced Uni's advantage in the second period as the Illineks went cold and were outscored 14-6. Nevertheless, Uni trailed only 21-19 at halftime.

In the third period, the Wildcats used pressure defense to extend their lead to 34-26. The Illineks stayed within 8 points until midway in the fourth quarter. With Donovan ahead 38-30, the Illineks had several opportunities to steal the ball and cut the deficit to 6.

But the Wildcats retained possession and took a 10-point lead with 3:41 remaining. Uni never got to within single digits again as the visitors left with a 13-point victory.

Skoza led the Illineks with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Aran Yoo had 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. She also recorded 3 steals. Sullivan scored Uni's other trey.

Senior Karen Woodley had a strong game under the boards, grabbing 8 rebounds to go along with 4 points and 3 steals.

"Her rebounds were really important for us," Murphy said of Woodley. "She did a nice job late in the game."

As a team, the Illineks had 11 steals to complement their reduction in turnovers.

With three weeks left in the regular season, the Illineks are 5-1 in the East Central Illinois Conference. They will travel to Normal on Monday to play ECIC rival Calvary Baptist Academy in a game originally scheduled to be played a week earlier. That game was postponed after the referees failed to show up. The rescheduled game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be varsity only.

In JV action today, the Illineks defeated Donovan in an exciting overtime contest 39-36. The JV are 5-7, 3-0.

MORE PHOTOS: UNI VS. DONOVAN

Junior Rachel Skoza fights for the ball during the second half of Uni's 47-34 loss to Donovan this afternoon. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Senior Ruthie Welch looks for an open teammate. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Sophomore Michelle Wong came off the bench several times to help spell the starters. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Skoza uses her height advantage to launch a shot in the fourth quarter. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Yoo fights off a determined Wildcat defender in the first half. Donovan used an aggressive defensive to take control of the game in the final period. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)