CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Malcolm Hill scored 14 points and Te'Jon Lucas had 11 points and seven assists as the Illini fell to Penn State, 83-70, Saturday at State Farm Center.
Penn State used a 14-2 run to end the first half to lead 41-29 at the break, and then led by as many as 19 in the second half before Illinois closed to within five, 62-57, after a 14-0 run. However, the Nittany Lions pulled away down the stretch thanks to 90 percent free throw shooting.
Payton Banks tied his career-high with 24 points, Lamar Stevens added 21 for Penn State.
Banks made three of Penn State's seven 3-pointers and the Nittany Lions shot 56.9 percent overall. It was his fourth 20-plus game of the season and the sixth of his career.
Penn State (14-12, 6-7 Big Ten) didn't allow Illinois to get into an offensive groove. Illinois finished with 14 turnovers, including two in the first four possessions of the game.
Jalen Coleman-Lands (12 points) also was in double-figures for the Illini.
UP NEXT
The Illini have a bye week before returning to action Saturday at Iowa (1 p.m. on BTN).
ILLINOIS POSTGAME NOTES
- Illinois moved to 14-12 overall and 4-9 in Big Ten play with a 83-70 loss to Penn State.
- The Illini lead the all-time series against Penn State, 28-16.
- Illinois used its ninth different starting lineup of the season (Nichols, Lucas, Black, Hill, Malcolm).
- Illinois forced 14 Penn State turnovers. The 14 miscues matches a season-high in Big Ten play.
- Senior Malcolm Hill scored in double-figures for the 20th consecutive game. He had 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
- Freshman Te'Jon Lucas matched his career-high with 11 points. Lucas has scored 10+ points and had 6+ assists in back-to-back games.
- Lucas made a career-high seven free throws.
- Freshman Kipper Nichols made his first career start.
