Illinois can’t complete second-half comeback at OSU

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Getting into Sunday, Ohio State hadn’t received a sport in 36 days.

That modified after 40 minutes in Columbus, as Illinois fell to the freefalling Buckeyes, 72-60.

It was a sleepy first half for Illinois and, finally, they weren’t in a position to overcome it. Ohio State jumped out to a fast lead and used 61% capturing from the ground to move into the locker room up 41-29.

Illinois (19-10, 10-8 Massive Ten) used a 12-2 run popping out of the break to battle its method again, getting the deficit all the best way right down to 1 with 6:53 to play, 53-52.

From that time on, nonetheless, it was all Ohio State (12-17, 4-14 Massive Ten), because the Buckeyes outscored the Illini 19-8 within the ultimate 6:21 and pulled away to snap their 9-game dropping streak.

In a season stuffed with ups and downs, twists and turns, Brad Underwood’s staff has hit a reasonably main low. This loss actually will do some injury to the Illini’s NCAA Event resume and drops Illinois right into a tie for sixth place with Iowa within the Massive Ten standings with only a week left within the common season.

With a win on Sunday and in its final two video games of the common season (plus a Wisconsin win over Purdue this week), Illinois would have had a shot on the Massive Ten Event’s prime seed and a share of the common season convention title for the second yr in a row. Nonetheless, that received’t be the case.

BRUCE THORNTON: The Ohio State freshman lit Illinois up within the first half, scoring 13 factors on 6-for-7 capturing.

SHANNON FOUL TROUBLE: After Illinois had drawn again inside 1, Shannon picked up his 4th foul with 6:28 to play and was pressured to exit. Ohio State would comply with with the game-sealing run, and Shannon would go on to foul out.

Coleman Hawkins did get so as to add one other poor soul to his physique rely.

• Coleman Hawkins’ first half block was the Illini’s 163rd of the season, setting a program-record for blocks in a single-season.
• Ohio State led for 36:28 of sport time. Illinois led 5-4 three minutes into the sport and by no means led once more.

Sadly, this second half wasn’t fairly as enjoyable because the final one.

Brad Underwood seems to maintain his undefeated file towards Juwan Howard intact, as Illinois welcomes Michigan to Champaign for its ultimate house sport of the season.

Tipoff is ready for six p.m. Thursday.