University of Illinois
21-8,14-5Big Ten
Penn State
12-15,7-12Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn St. | 30 | 25 | 55 |
| Illinois | 29 | 31 | 60 |
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Williams leads Illini to Victory Over Nittany Lions
March 3, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Highlights | Press Conference | Photo Gallery | Box Score (PDF)
Illinois went down to the wire for the second time this week, this time against Penn State in the second to last game of the regular season. Illinois' defense had its strongest stretch when it mattered most, holding the Nittany Lions scoreless for a near six-minute stretch at the end of the game. With just a three-point lead, Trent Frazier went to the line with 14 seconds to play; he hit the first shot, but missed the second. However, Coleman Hawkins came down with the rebound then made his own pair of free throws to secure the 60-55 win.
The victory secures a top-3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament for the Illini, their third-straight year with a double-bye.
Da'Monte Williams fueled the Illini Thursday night with a season-high 14 points on four three-pointers. Williams also had three rebounds, two steals and an assist. Kofi Cockburn and Frazier also scored in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The first half featured a back and forth battle between the Illini and the Nittany Lions as neither team led by more than six points. Illinois jumped out to a quick lead as Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison each hit threes and Kofi Cockburn made a pair of free throws. Penn State's top two scorers — Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy — got on the board early with a jumper and a three.
After a couple minutes without a field goal make, Grandison grabbed an offensive rebound and dished it to Omar Payne for the layup. Penn State also struggled offensively, going three and a half minutes without a basket before Caleb Dorsey made a three. The teams traded baskets, then Alfonso Plummer drilled his first trey and Andre Curbelo capitalized on a Penn State turnover to give Illinois a 17-11 lead, its biggest of the game.
Penn State quickly fired back with a 7-0, but free throws from Curbelo put the Illini back on top. Cockburn got back to work with an offensive rebound and putback, then Da'Monte WIlliams traded threes with Greg Lee. Williams nailed another three for the Illini with four minutes to play, but that would be their last field goal make of the half.
Pickett took advantage of Illinois' offensive lull, making a layup and a three to take a 30-27 lead. While Williams made a pair of free throws near the end of the half, Illinois couldn't get another shot to fall and heading into halftime down 30-29.
Cockburn was quiet in the first half with just four points on 1-of-4 shooting, but Williams stepped up for the Illini, scoring eight points. Pickett and Lundy were strong for the Nittany Lions, helping them to 52% shooting in the half.
After the break, Illinois and Penn State traded the first 10 shots. Cockburn had four early points. Williams made his third deep ball and Frazier hit another three and scored an and-1 layup. Pickett made three of the Nittany Lions' first five shots to keep them within one point of the Illini.
Illinois finally created some distance as Cockburn slammed it in then Frazier had a block on the other end, leading to a layup by Grandison. However, Penn State went on a quick 6-0 run to regain the lead.
Williams came up big again with another three to break the run. Pickett and Lundy each followed with baskets while Cockburn and Plummer made free throws. The momentum shifted after a steal by Cockburn led to a corner thee from Grandison, putting Illinois up 55-52.
The Illini defense had its best run in the final six minutes of the game, holding the Nittany Lions scoreless until the final seconds. Illinois forced three turnovers from Penn State. After a three-minute scoring drought from Illinois' offense, Frazier was fouled with 14 seconds to play, leading to the win.
Illinois' regular-season finale is on Sunday evening as the Illini host Iowa for Senior Night.
