COLUMBUS, Ohio — Entering Sunday, Ohio State hadn’t won a game in 36 days.
That changed after 40 minutes in Columbus, as Illinois fell to the freefalling Buckeyes, 72-60.
It was a sleepy first half for Illinois and, ultimately, they weren’t able to overcome it. Ohio State jumped out to a quick lead and used 61% shooting from the floor to head into the locker room up 41-29.
Illinois (19-10, 10-8 Big Ten) used a 12-2 run coming out of the break to fight its way back, getting the deficit all the way down to 1 with 6:53 to play, 53-52.