Feb. 22, 2001

Box Score
Illini Wrap (audio version)
Illini Wrap (video version)

By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sean Connolly's 3-pointer with 30 seconds left gave Ohio State a 63-61 upset of No. 3 Illinois on Thursday night that opened up the race for the Big Ten title.

The Illini (21-6, 11-3) came in on a five-game winning streak and still leads Michigan State (10-3) by a half-game in the conference.

Ohio State (18-9, 9-5) had lost its first four games against ranked teams this season, but has now knocked off four ranked teams in the last month - including another team that was No. 3 at the time, Michigan State.

Brian Brown led Ohio State with 18 points, while Ken Johnson had 16 points and Brent Darby had 14. The victory was the Buckeyes' fifth in a row in conference play.

Johnson, honored earlier as the Buckeyes' only senior, blocked two shots to tie former Penn State center Calvin Booth for the most career blocks by a Big Ten player (428).

Frank Williams scored 22 points and Marcus Griffin had 12 for the Illini, who had won 14 of the last 16 meetings with Ohio State.

With Illinois on top 61-60, Darby was guarded by Sergio McClain in the backcourt and couldn't find an open man. But he was able to toss a pass to the left wing where Connolly broke open along the baseline. He turned and hit the 3-pointer to put Ohio State ahead 63-61.

Brian Cook missed a 3-point attempt from the top of the key with nine seconds remaining for Illinois. The Buckeyes' Tim Martin rebounded and was fouled. but missed both free throws.

Williams, who had beaten Ohio State in the Big Ten opener a year ago with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, took the inbound pass and dribbled to just in front of the Illini bench on the left wing. Pressured by three defenders, his shot with two seconds left was short.

Hundreds of Ohio State fans flooded the court after the game.

Johnson's slam dunk to open the second half gave Ohio State a 38-29 lead. But Illinois came back with the next 12 points, holding the Buckeyes without a point for more than six minutes. Williams scored the first three baskets and assisted on two others in the surge, while Ohio State missed eight consecutive shots.

Johnson became the 39th Ohio State player to score 1,000 points in a career when he hit a free throw with 7:31 left that gave the Buckeyes a 52-45 lead.

Illinois drew even at 56 on Sean Harrington's 3-pointer from the right wing with 4:01 remaining.

Boban Savovic responded with a 3-pointer and a free throw to put the Buckeyes up 60-56 with 3:44 to play.

Williams then converted a three-point play, and after an Ohio State miss, hit a 10-foot fadeaway for a 61-60 lead to set up the wild finish.

Ohio State led 36-29 at the half thanks in large part to an 11-0 run, with the Illini going scoreless for almost seven minutes.