CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Ohio State remained undefeated Saturday with a tough 73-68 road win over a determined No. 22 Illinois.
Jared Sullinger scored 27 points and was 13-of-15 from the free-throw line for the No. 1 Buckeyes (20-0, 7-0 Big Ten), who trailed 34-33 at halftime and saw their second-half lead cut to one on a 3-pointer by Illinois' Mike Tisdale with 19 seconds to play.
Jon Diebler scored 15 points and was the only other Ohio State player in double figures. The Buckeyes shot a tepid 39.6 percent from the field.
Illinois (14-6, 4-3) had 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench from Jereme Richmond. Tisdale had 15 points and Mike Davis added 11.
Illinois had a modest 32-27 edge in rebounding but made only four of their 17 3-point attempts.
