CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Frank Williams took over again.
|  | | Illinois' Marcus Griffin, left, and Brian Cook make things difficult for Ohio State's Ken Johnson. |
With a fragile lead disintegrating against Ohio State, the
sophomore guard scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half as
the Illini (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 Associated Press) beat Ohio State 83-68 on Saturday night.
Williams played 37 minutes, handing out six assists against one
turnover as the Illini broke out of a lingering shooting slump.
"Frank had a complete game for the first time," Illinois coach
Bill Self said. "People left knowing he's a complete guard."
Illinois (12-3, 2-0 Big Ten) also got 13 points from forward
Brian Cook, including a pair of key 3-pointers in the second half,
and 12 from Cory Bradford.
The Illini, who came in shooting 44 percent and ranked last in
the Big Ten in 3-point shooting, made 55 percent of their shots and
were 9-for-19 from 3-point range. Six players hit 3-pointers during
the Illini's second-half surge.
"I thought they were going to throw it into Griffin and Cook a
lot more," Ohio State center Ken Johnson said.
Johnson and Brian Brown each scored 15 points to lead Ohio State
(10-4, 1-1). Brent Darby added 14 for the Buckeyes, who shot just
35 percent for the game.
The 6-foot-11 Johnson never gave Illinois' favorite target,
center Marcus Griffin, a clear look at the basket. But Griffin
scored 10 points in the first half on free throws and putbacks.
The Illini double- and triple-teamed Johnson, holding him to
just one point in the first half.
"I just couldn't do anything in the paint," Johnson said.
Illinois scored eight straight points for a 21-13 lead with
10:30 remaining in the first period. The Buckeyes kept it close,
but Williams hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give the
Illini a 32-25 halftime lead.
Ohio State opened the second half on a 12-5 run. Sean Connolly
tied the game at 37 on a 3-pointer from the corner with 15:44 left.
The 6-foot-10 Cook, repeatedly left alone on the perimeter,
twice hit 3-pointers as Illinois slowly rebuilt its lead. Cook's
second 3-pointer gave the Illini a 55-46 lead with 10 minutes left.
Another forward, Damir Krupalija, followed by drawing a charge
and then surprising the Buckeyes' defense with his own 3-pointer to make
it 58-46 with 9:47 to go.
"When you get behind, you've got to start gambling," Ohio
State coach Jim O'Brien said. "You've got to hope they miss and
they didn't."
Ohio State never got closer than eight points again. Sean
Harrington made a 3-pointer with 3:14 to go that put Illinois ahead
72-57. Brown hit a short jumper for Ohio State but Williams hit
another 3-pointer to make it 75-59 with 2:04 remaining.
Bradford has now made a 3-pointer in 79 straight games,
extending an NCAA record he broke earlier this season.
In addition to the improved shooting, Self was happy to see
contributions from Sergio McClain, Krupalija and Robert Archibald --
all fighting nagging injuries.
McClain, who was supposed to sit out after he badly sprained his
left ankle against Minnesota on Wednesday, had six points, six
rebounds and three steals in 23 minutes.
O'Brien said Illinois is the deepest team the Buckeyes have seen
this year, but Self noted it was the first time all year he could
say 10 different players were a factor in the outcome.
"I don't think we've all clicked yet," Cook said. "When we
do, everybody ought to be scared."
|
|
ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Ohio State Clubhouse
Illinois Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Frank Williams' behind-the-back pass finds Brian Cook for the Illini dunk.
avi: 817 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Frank Williams gets the turnover and dishes to Sergio McClain for an easy two.
avi: 619 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Robert Archibald is on the receiving end of a Frank Williams' pass for the hoop and foul.
avi: 904 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
