Bruce Thornton's best efforts weren't enough.
Ohio State's longtime star guard delivered another signature performance in his team's uphill climb against No. 13 Illinois on Tuesday. Thornton racked up 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting, his second 30-point performance of the season. But he was still just a man. The Fighting Illini had a flight of well-coordinated, sharp-shooting soldiers.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| #13 ILLINOIS | 48 | 40 | 88 |
| OHIO STATE | 42 | 38 | 80 |
Illinois (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) led the final 16 minutes of its 88-80 win over Ohio State (8-2, 1-1), keeping the Buckeyes at arm's length most of the way despite only twice leading by double-digits.