Malcolm Hill made a layup with
four seconds left in regulation to help the Illinois Fighting
Illini to a 60-58 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in a
Big Ten Conference thriller at the State Farm Center.
Hill finished with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor to
lead Illinois (14-8, 4-5 Big Ten), which also received 10 points,
five steals and four assists courtesy of Kendrick Nunn. Leron Black
pulled down a team-high total of seven boards for the Fighting
Illini.
D.J. Newbill paced the Nittany Lions (14-8, 2-7) with 20 points,
but also committed four of the team's 19 turnovers. Shep Garner
contributed 14 points, while Julian Moore netted 10 points.
Illinois outscored the visitors, 12-3, from 3-point range in the
first period en route to a 30-26 halftime lead. PSU knocked down
8-of-13 shots from inside the 3-point line and also converted
7-of-8 tries at the free-throw line in the first period.
The Nittany Lions improved to sink 43.5 percent of their field goal
attempts after the break. The second half included seven ties and
10 lead changes. PSU held a 58-56 lead with 1:56 left to play, but
Nnanna Egwu evened the score with a jumper one minute later.
Newbill had a potential game-tying layup attempt roll off the front
of the rim as time expired.
Despite the loss, PSU finished with a 32-26 edge in total rebounds
and outscored the hosts, 26-14, in the paint.
Saturrday (Convocation Center in DeKalb)
Toledo 80 (13-8), (5-3) MAC
NIU Huskies 69 (8-11), (2-6) MAC
**NIU: 3rd straight loss (Have lost 6 out of their last 7 games)
**Toledo: Led 35-33 at Half Time
**Out scored NIU 45-36 in the 2nd half
**Justin Drummond (Toledo): 20 pts (12-12 Free Throws
**Toledo: Made 27 out of 31 Free Throws
**NIU: 17-29 from the Free Throw Line
**Darrell Bowie (NIU): 18 pts
**Aaric Armstead (NIU): 14 pts
**NIU: at Miami of Ohio Wednesday
