Ohio State 73, Illinois 68, Final Score: Jared Sullinger, No. 1 Buckeyes Preserve Undefeated Record

On Saturday afternoon, No. 1 Ohio State had to engineer a modest rally to slip past No. 23 Illinois. They pulled off a 73-68 win, thanks in part to a huge game from Jared Sullinger.
Sullinger, the Buckeyes’ freshman forward, scored 27 points in large part because he drew a good number of fouls and sunk 13 of 15 shots from the line. He also pulled down 16 rebounds, which were crucial for an Ohio State squad that was out-rebounded by Illinois, 33 to 29.
Illinois took a 34-33 lead into halftime, but the Fighting Illini couldn’t maintain their 50 percent shooting. A botched defensive play late in the game on an inbound pass allowed Sullinger, one of Ohio State’s best free-throw shooters, to get fouled and head to the line.
Illinois’ star of the game was Jereme Richmond, who grabbed 10 rebounds and went 9-for-12 from the field to score 18 points. Guard Demetri McCarney was credited with six assists.
This win improves Ohio State’s record to 20-0. The Illini drop down the Big Ten standings with a 14-6 record.

For more on these teams, check in with SB Nation’s Ohio State blog, Along The Olentangy, and our Illinois blog, Hail To The Orange.