Fans at Thursday's non-league challenge between the Academy Owls (Champaign, IL) and the visiting Unity Christian Lions (Decatur, IL), saw Academy's basketball squad hold off Unity Christian by a count of 33-26.

With the victory, Academy upgrades its record to 5-4 on the campaign. The Owls travel to Arcola (Arcola, IL) to confront the Purple Riders in a non-league battle on Wednesday, January 10. The Purple Riders come into the battle with a record of 13-4. Arcola won 46-33 in their recent league battle against Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond (Arthur, IL)

The Lions (1-14) will now prepare for their battle against Mt. Pulaski (Mt. Pulaski, IL). The Hilltoppers come into the non-league battle with a 14-6 record. In their last battle, Mt. Pulaski edged Athens (Athens, IL), 40-24, in a league battle.