COLUMBUS — Freshmen Bruce Thornton scored 20 points and Brice Sensabaugh scored 14, and senior Justice Sueing registered a double-double to help Ohio State snap a nine-game losing streak and defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini 72-60 on Sunday.
The Buckeyes held a 41-29 lead at the break before the Illini rallied with a 12-2 run to start the second half. During the run, Terrance Shannon score eight straight points for Illinois, including back-to-back three-point plays to cut the Buckeye lead to 45-41 with 15:11 remaining.
Illinois got even closer as Jayden Epps hit a three-pointer to make it 53-52.
But the Buckeyes responded with a putback layup by Sueing, and Sensabaugh followed that up with a thunderous dunk and a jumper to stretch the lead back out.
Ohio State did not miss another shot the rest of the way, finishing 7-for-7 over the final 6:21.
The Buckeyes extended their lead to 64-53 after Thornton finished off a three-point play with 3:57 remaining. Ohio State maintained a double-digit lead during the final 2:35 of the game.
Sueing scored 14 points and hauled in 11 rebounds for the Buckeyes (12-17, 4-14 Big Ten).
Coleman Hawkins had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini (19-10, 10-8). Matthew Mayer added 11 points, and Shannon and Epps had 10 points each.
Ohio State will be at home again on Wednesday against Maryland and then travel to Michigan State on Saturday to close out the regular season.
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