Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini win over Penn State

By Rees Woodcock

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) clinches his fists as he gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) clinches his fists as he gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 11: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini brings the ball up court during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Center on February 11, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team went on the road in the Big Ten and knocked off a top 10 Penn State program.

This was arguably the biggest win for the Orange and Blue in the last decade. Yes, I know we beat No. 1 Indiana en route to an NCAA tournament bid. But this felt different. This was on the road. We were on a four-game losing streak. The NCAA tournament was in limbo because of the recent skid we were on. Oh yeah, and we were getting our star player back in Ayo Dosunmu.

I honestly felt like we were in control of this game from the tip. The score was tied at 8-8 five minutes into the game. By the 10-minute mark, the Illini had gained a one-point advantage. Penn State erased that deficit and tied the game at 22-22 with five minutes to go in the first half. Illinois then forged ahead and took a 30-26 lead into halftime.

The Illini started hot out of the gate in the second half. We snagged an eight-point lead less than six minutes in. But then a mini drought hit. Illinois couldn’t score and Penn State took advantage. The Nittany Lions went on a 9-0 run to take the lead 41-40. Shockingly, the Illini were able to rebound from this drought.

Illinois started hitting shots in the middle of the second half. We went on a 14-5 run to get the lead back to nine points with six minutes to go in the game. Penn State got the deficit back to two points, but the Illini were just too much. Illinois ended up winning the game, 62-56.

Here are three observations from the Illini win over Penn State.

Home/Illinois Basketball