Buckeyes trip Illini in physical tussle
No. 14 Illinois lost back-to-back games for the first time this season when No. 21 Ohio State “came in here and smacked us in the mouth,” according to Illini coach Brad Underwood.
In a game that was particularly physical in the second half, the Buckeyes (11-3, 5-3 Big Ten) held on for an 87-81 victory at the State Farm Center. One technical foul was called, on Ohio State’s Duane Washington Jr., and the officials had to step in at times to avoid fights.
Ayo Dosunmu led Illinois (9-5, 5-3) with 22 points. Kofi Cockburn scored 15, and freshman Adam Miller added 14.
The Illini closed to 83-81 with 15.5 seconds left on a long threepointer by Miller.
On the Buckeyes’ inbound pass, replays showed Washington clearly stepped out of bounds with the ball. But a foul was called on Trent Frazier, and Washington sank both free throws to make it 85-81.
“I didn’t get a chance to look at it,” Underwood said. “It’s not a reviewable play anyway.”
E.J. Liddell scored 26 points for the Buckeyes. Washington, Justin Ahrens and Seth Towns each added 11.
“We had tremendous respect for this Illinois team and came in knowing they were coming off a tough loss [to unranked Maryland],” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. “It’s obviously a win we feel proud of and are excited about.”
In a first half marked by runs and inconsistent play, the Buckeyes led 43-28 at the break.
Liddell and the 7-foot Cockburn jostled and shoved each other all game. Several times they exchanged heated words.
“Kofi needs to get used to that,” a clearly frustrated Underwood said.
DePaul 77, Valparaiso 58
Romeo Weems had 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting as the Blue Demons (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a nonconference victory over the Crusaders (3-8) at Wintrust Arena.
Charlie Moore added 14 points for DePaul, which held Valpo to 34% shooting. Pauly Paulicap had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Darious Hall grabbed 10 boards.
Eron Gordon had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Crusaders, who have dropped four in a row.
Loyola 72, Northern Iowa 57
Tate Hall scored a season-high 24 points as the Ramblers (9-3, 4-1 Missouri Valley Conference) topped the Panthers (3-9, 2-5), extending their winning streak at Gentile Arena to seven games.
Marquise Kennedy and Keith Clemons had 10 points apiece and Cameron Krutwig eight for Loyola, which turned the ball over just five times and scored 30 points off 18 turnovers. Austin Phyfe led the Panthers with 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
UIC 66, Robert Morris 62 (OT)
Rob Howard scored 18 points as the Flames (7-4, 4-2 Horizon League) won a nail-biter in overtime over the Colonials (3-5, 2-3) at Credit Union 1 Arena. Maurice Commander and Teyvion Kirk added 15 points each for UIC. AJ Bramah had 23 points and 16 rebounds for Robert Morris.
Notre Dame 80, Boston College 70
Dane Goodwin scored 21 points, Prentiss Hubb and Juwan Durham had double-doubles and the host Fighting Irish (4-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) clipped the Eagles (3-10, 1-6). Hubb had 13 points and 10 assists, and Durham had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Minnesota 75, Michigan 57
Liam Robbins had 22 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes to lead the No. 23 Gophers (11-4, 4-4 Big Ten) over the No. 7 Wolverines (11-1, 6-1) in Minneapolis.