Halftime Score: Ohio State 35, Illinois 40 The Buckeyes are essentially playing a road game this afternoon. This place is extremely loud with an awfully strong Orange and Blue presence. Ohio State couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start offensively … and unfortunately, it didn’t get better for a good 12 minutes. They missed nine straight shots to start the game, including all six 3-pointers. But thanks to a 5-of-6 showing from the free throw line at the outset, the Buckeyes hung in there through the rough opening stretch. Justice Sueing hit a lay-up with 13:26 to finally end that drought. Meanwhile, Kofi Cockburn is roughing up the Scarlet and Gray in the interior. He scored nine of Illinois’ first 16 points, and all four baskets came from the paint. Ohio State’s saving grace during its ice cold start was a whistle-happy group that called seven fouls on the…
Continue Reading: Ohio State vs. Illinois, Big Ten Championship: First Half Notebook
