CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois played like a desperate team. Ohio State performed like a team that hadn’t been on the road since November. Forcing turnover after turnover from the normally sure-handed Buckeyes, the 11th-ranked Fighting Illini led wire-to-wire Saturday, notching a 74-55 Big Ten Conference rout at Assembly Hall. Coming off a 68-61 upset loss Wednesday night at Purdue, Illinois (14-2, 1-1) dictated with defense and its ability to get to the rim whenever it wanted to against a normally stingy opponent. Brandon Paul paced the Illini with 19 points, while center Nnanna Egwu chipped in 16 points, nearly 10 above his per-game average. Tracy Abrams added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in a solid all-around performance and Joseph Bertrand came off the bench to score 12 points. Deshaun Thomas fired in a game-high 24 points for No. 8 Ohio State (11-3, 1-1…
Continue Reading: Illinois 74, Ohio State 55 (The SportsXchange)
