Jan. 20, 2011
Box Score
| Printable Illinois-Ohio State Box Score 
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois sophomore Karisma Penn went toe-to-toe with Ohio State All-American Jantel Lavender, finishing with 26 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and four steals, but it wasn't enough as the 25th-ranked Buckeyes held off a feisty Illinois squad for a 71-62 win Thursday night at Assembly Hall.
Illinois (7-12, 2-4) looked like it was on the verge of ending its 10-game losing streak to ranked opponents when it took a 50-49 lead with 9:29 left. The Illini surged in front with a 14-1 run, capped by an old-fashioned three-point play by junior Lydia McCully. A mere 14 seconds later, however, Ohio State's Brittany Johnson hit one of her seven three-pointers on the night, sparking a 12-2 Buckeye run that pushed the OSU lead back to nine, 61-52, with under five minutes to play.
The Illini had one last surge in them, pulling within 63-59 with 1:39 left after a pair of free throws by sophomore Adrienne GodBold, but Johnson provided the dagger with her seventh and final three of the night on OSU's next possession to put the game out of reach.
The Illini came out of the gates strong, leading 6-0 two minutes into the game. Illinois led for most of the first half until Penn picked up her second foul with 4:07 remaining and went to the bench with the Illini up 24-23. The Buckeyes would take advantage the Penn's absence, closing the half on a 15-5 run to take a 38-29 lead into the lockerroom. OSU's Johnson, a native of nearby Olney, Ill., drained five first-half threes and scored 15 of her team-high 22 points before the break. Penn led Illinois with eight points and 11 boards at the half.
Penn hit 10-of-20 from the field for her game-high 26 points. McCully finished with nine points, while junior Macie Blinn added eight points and GodBold seven for the Orange and Blue. Johnson not only had a big offensive game for Ohio State (12-6, 3-3), but also played a big role in shutting down Illini sharpshooter Amber Moore. Making her first career start, Moore was scoreless in 32 minutes of play and was able to muster only three shot attempts. She did contribute in other ways, however, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists.
Three-point shooting was also a key factor in the game, as the Illini hit just 2-of-19 from behind the arc. Illinois outrebounded the buckeyes 51-43, and pulled down 23 offensive boards, but shot just 33 percent (24-of-73) from the field.
Lavender finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Buckeyes, while little-used reserve Ashley Adams had a career game with 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. All-Big Ten point guard Samantha Prahalis was held to just four points and was on the bench for the final eight minutes of the game when the Buckeyes pulled away.
The Fighting Illini will now hit the road to face the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday in Madison at 5 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Illinois will then return home for a pair of games next week when they host Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. and Iowa for "Pack the Hall" on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m.
