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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Ohio State

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Players stand in front of a Big Ten logo before the start of the college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Players stand in front of a Big Ten logo before the start of the college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 09: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts across the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team went on the road and clinched their first road victory of the year against Ohio State.

This game started pretty close. Both teams went on little scoring runs but by the 15-minute mark in the first half, the game was tied 9-9. The game continued to be close. With 10 minutes left in the first half, Illinois was up by a point, 15-14.

Illinois was able to go on a scoring run toward the end of the first half. They extended their lead to 27-18 with 4:20 left until halftime. Ohio State was able to end the first half strong, though, and the teams went into the locker room with the Illini up 30-27.

The second half wasn’t much different. Ohio State was able to narrow the deficit to one-point right out of the gate, but Illinois extended their lead to seven points with a little over 15 minutes to go in the second half. The Buckeyes made another run and actually tied the game up on multiple occasions. The first Ohio State lead in the second half came with 8:30 to go in the game.

Illinois didn’t let that lead last long, though. The Illini took back the lead and continued to increase it. Illinois ended up winning the game 63-56.

Here are five observations from the Illini win over Ohio State.

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