Ohio State Buckeyes @ Illinois Fighting Illini
No. 12 Ohio State rallies past Illinois in 2nd half, wins 67-59
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- — Jacy Sheldon scored 25 points, Cotie McMahon had a double-double and helped No. 12 Ohio State overcome a four-point second quarter in pulling off a 67-59 win over Illinois on Thursday night.
The Buckeyes won their sixth straight game, including a 100-92 overtime win over No. 2 Iowa on Sunday.
The Illini held Ohio State to just four points in the second quarter, roaring back from an 18-13 deficit to hold a 33-22 lead at the break.
Sheldon hit a 3-pointer and a jumper to open the third quarter to jump-start the Buckeyes, who trailed by just three going into the fourth.
After Kendall Bostic scored at the basket to give the Illini a 49-44 lead with under nine minutes left Celeste Taylor knocked down a 3 and followed it with a jumper to tie the game at 49-all, sparking a 12-0 run to put the Buckeyes up 56-49 with 4:39 left. Taylor hit a layup with 38 seconds left and added two free throws in the closing seconds to set the final margin.
Sheldon hit 9 of 19 from the field, including 2 of 8 from behind the arc, and contributed three steals and three assists to lead the Buckeyes (16-2, 7-1 Big Ten). McMahon finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds and Taylor had 14 points.
Makira Cook had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Illinois (8-10, 2-6). Genesis Bryant added 14 points and Bostic had 13 points and 18 rebounds.
Ohio State travels to face Purdue on Sunday. Illinois plays host to Minnesota Sunday.
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Game Information
Champaign, IL

Referee:Doug Knight
Referee:Mark Berger
Referee:Michael McConnell

2025-26 Standings
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | 18-0 | - | 37-1 |
| Michigan | 15-3 | 3 | 28-7 |
| Iowa | 15-3 | 3 | 27-7 |
| Ohio State | 13-5 | 5 | 27-8 |
| Minnesota | 13-5 | 5 | 24-9 |
| Maryland | 11-7 | 7 | 24-9 |
| Michigan State | 11-7 | 7 | 23-9 |
| Washington | 10-8 | 8 | 22-11 |
| Illinois | 9-9 | 9 | 22-12 |
| USC | 9-9 | 9 | 18-14 |
| Oregon | 8-10 | 10 | 23-13 |
| Nebraska | 7-11 | 11 | 19-13 |
| Indiana | 6-12 | 12 | 18-14 |
| Wisconsin | 5-13 | 13 | 16-18 |
| Purdue | 5-13 | 13 | 13-17 |
| Penn State | 4-14 | 14 | 11-18 |
| Northwestern | 2-16 | 16 | 8-21 |
| Rutgers | 1-17 | 17 | 9-20 |
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