COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State took care of business Sunday, beating Illinois 68-55 in front of a sold-out crowd on Senior Day.
The Buckeyes needed a victory over the Fighting Illini, a team that demolished them by 19 points in Champiagn earlier this season, to have any hopes of sharing the Big Ten title.
Five straight wins to close out the regular season put No. 14 Ohio State in position for its fourth straight conference regular-season championship. The Buckeyes needed Michigan to beat Indiana later Sunday to finish in a tie for first.
The Buckeyes (23-7, 13-5) were led junior Deshaun Thomas, who scored a team-high 19 points in what could be his final home game at Ohio State.
Junior point guard Aaron Craft added 14 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals in a game the Buckeyes controlled at the defensive end.
Continue Reading: Ohio State 68, Illinois 55 (The SportsXchange)
