COLUMBUS, Ohio — Malcolm Hill’s New Year’s resolution for his team was better second halves.
Illinois made it at least halfway there Sunday at Ohio State, in the junior guard’s opinion. The Illini were able to avoid any major scoring droughts and reciprocating runs by the Buckeyes. And complete team balance — four players with 14 points and the same four with at least five rebounds each — kept the Illini in the game late.
What Illinois wasn’t able to come away with, though, was the win. Ohio State used a serious edge at the free throw line — nearly three times as many makes as Illinois attempts — and a rangy defense that made any trip into the lane an adventure for a 75-73 victory in front of 12,798 fans at Value City Arena.