Bucks Crush Illinois

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Ohio State Buckeyes (20-6, 10-3) were visiting the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-9, 9-4).  Ohio State was playing to remain tied for first place with Purdue and Michigan State.  OSU ended up winning the game 72-53.

After falling behind by one early, the Buckeyes (20-6, 10-3 Big Ten) used an 18-6 run to finish the Illini (17-9, 9-4) off early.




By the end of the run Ohio State led 21-10 with 11:48 to play. The Buckeyes were up 36-20 at the half and never led by less than 13 over the final 20 minutes.



Demetri McCamey led Illinois with nine points -- nearly seven short of his average.



The win kept the Buckeyes in a first-place tie in the Big Ten with Michigan State. The Illini fell from the top spot and are a game back of the leaders.
 
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES


STARTERS

Dallas Lauderdale: 29 MIN., 9 PTS.,  4 REB

David Lighty: 38 MIN., 17 PTS., 4 REB

Jon Diebler: 38 MIN., 18 PTS., 4 REB

Evan Turner: 38 MIN., 16 PTS., 8 AST., 11 REB

William Buford: 22 MIN., 5 PTS., 2 REB