CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – Aaron Craft scored 14 points and No. 22 Ohio State held Illinois to 28.3 percent shooting on the way to a scrappy 48-39 win on Saturday.
Craft picked up two early fouls and spent two long stretches on the bench. But he was still the Buckeyes’ best option on a tough offensive night for each team.
LaQuinton Ross added nine points for Ohio State (20-6, 7-6), which trailed 23-20 at halftime.
Illinois (14-12, 3-10) scored just nine points over the first 15:35 minutes of the second half.
Tracy Abrams led Illinois with 13 points. Nnanna Egwu had a career-high 14 rebounds but fouled out late.
The Illini have lost 10 of 11.