CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 14 Fighting Illini fell to No. 21 Ohio State 87-81 Saturday afternoon at the State Farm Center. The Illini were led by Ayo Dosunmu (22 points, five assists) and Kofi Cockburn (15 points, 11 rebounds).
After a slow start in the first half, the Illini went on a 18-9 run to pull within two with :15 left. However, the Buckeyes hit four straight free throws to ice the game.
Kofi Cockburn recorded his tenth double-double of the season, his seventh in B1G play. Adam Miller recorded a career-high in rebounds (7) and Dosunmu led the team in assists (five).
Gallery: (1-16-2021) Illinois vs. Ohio State - 01/16/2021
DOUBLE-DIGIT DOSUNMU
Dosunmu scored double digits in his 29th straight game dating back to last season. He was last held to single-digit points on 1/05/2020 when the Illini defeated Purdue 63-37 at the State Farm Center.
UP NEXT
The Illini are back at the State Farm Center on Jan. 19 to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM CT and will be broadcasted on BTN.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Ayo Dosunmu had 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Dosunmu is averaging 22.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season. Dosunmu is one of only two players in the nation averaging at least 20 points, five rebounds and four assists this season (Taevion Kinsey, Marshall).Â
- Kofi Cockburn had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Cockburn leads the NCAA with 10 double-doubles on the year. He has registered double-doubles in seven of eight Big Ten contests and is averaging 19.5 points and 11.1 boards during league play on 74% shooting.
- Over the last four games, freshman Adam Miller is averaging 11.8 points (47) and making an average of 3.0 treys (12) while shooting 40% from behind the arc (12-30).
