Ohio State
20-13,9-11Big Ten
#13 Illinois
24-8,14-6Big Ten
Buckeyes Battle But Fall 77-74 to No. 13 Illinois in B1G Quarters
3/15/2024 9:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – Bruce Thornton scored 20 points and dished-out a career-high 10 assists, but No. 13 Illinois was able to pullout a narrow 77-74 victory Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
The double-double was the first of Thornton’s career.
Minnesota native Jamison Battle added 21 points while Zed Key chipped-in with seven points and eight rebounds. Felix Okpara had four points, a game-high 10 rebounds and swatted four shots.
The game was tied at 71 when Battle sank a three-pointer to put Ohio State on top with 1:44 to play. But Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins each hit a pair of free throws to put Illinois up 75-74 entering the final minute.
Shannon made two more free throws with 11.3 seconds left to go up 77-74. Battle had a chance to tie the game on a three-pointer when Illinois (24-8) neglected to foul and prevent a shot, but the ball bounced off the rim.
The difference in the game came at the free throw line. Illinois made 21-of-32 attempts as the Buckeyes were just 10-of-13. The foul difference was 27-13 in favor of the Illini.
Dain Dainja had 18 points and eight rebounds and Ty Rodgers had 12 points and 10 boards for Illinois.
Ohio State held the lead for much of the second half, stretching its cushion to 10 points with 11 minutes to go. It wasn’t until the made free throws by Shannon and Hawkins with just over a minute remaining that Illinois took back the lead.
