Overview
- Keaton Wagler scored 23 points, David Mirkovic added 22, and Andrej Stojakovic had 17 as Illinois used balanced scoring to win in Columbus.
- Illinois went 29-for-32 at the line after making its first 13 foul shots, a decisive edge on a night with 31 second-half whistles.
- Bruce Thornton erupted for 24 first-half points on 9-of-10 shooting with six threes before Illinois contained him after the break.
- Tomislav Ivisic buried a corner three with 44.7 seconds left to push the Illini clear after Ohio State had closed within one possession.
- Illinois improved to 8-2 and 1-0 in the Big Ten, logging its 35th league road win since 2019-20, while Ohio State fell to 7-2 (1-1); the game streamed exclusively on Peacock.