Ohio State beats Illinois 86-83, Branham drops 31
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Freshman Malaki Branham scored 31 points to lift No. 22 Ohio State to an 86-83 win over No. 15 Illinois on Thursday night.
With the win, the Buckeyes are in fourth place in the conference, a game-and-a-half behind Purdue and Wisconsin.
Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell was questionable with the flu before the game, but made the start and finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Kyle Young added 18 points.
The result dealt a serious blow to Illinois’ Big Ten title hopes, dropping them a full game behind leaders Purdue and Wisconsin two weeks left in the regular season.
Illinois guard Alfonso Plummer finished with 26 points.