Bates-Diop rescues Ohio State
With Illinois leading by 11 points with 8 minutes 45 seconds left in the first half, Ohio State’s Keita BatesDiop went to work.
Playing in his 100th game for the Buckeyes, BatesDiop made 11 consecutive points to help No. 17 Ohio State end the half up by four points and outlast the Illini 75-67 on Sunday at Columbus, Ohio.
Bates-Diop finished with a career-high 35 points. His 13 rebounds gave him his 10th double-double this season.
He made a three-point basket with 5:04 left to tie the score 63-63. He made 13 of 15 free throws, including three in a row in the final 37 seconds to seal the victory.
“I think Keita showed why he’s MVP of the league,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “We knew that coming in. He’s a very, very difficult matchup for us.”
The Buckeyes (20-5, 11-1 Big Ten Conference) have won three games in a row and 10 of their last 11.
Mark Alstork had 19 points for the Illini (12-12, 2-9), who have not won on the road.
at No. 1 Villanova 92, Seton Hall 76: Omari Spellman had 26 points and 11 rebounds to help lift the Wildcats (22-1, 9-1 Big East) to their ninth consecutive victory.
For about 25 minutes, the Pirates (17-6, 6-4) gave the Wildcats a serious scare. Eric Paschall made a threepointer for Villanova that tied the score 48-48.
Paschall had 10 points. Desi Rodriguez scored 20 points for Seton Hall.
“You’ve got to almost play perfect when you play Villanova on the road,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said.