Tayler Hill scored 18 of her team-high 21 points in the second half and Ashley Adams added a season-high 17 points and 10 rebounds as Ohio State picked up a big road win Thursday, 64-53, over the Illini.
The win improves Ohio State to 6-9 in the Big Ten and 16-12 overall, keeping its slim NCAA tournament hopes alive. Illinois falls to 16-11 and 9-6 in Big Ten play.
The game swung for the Buckeyes late in the first half and early into the second. With 3:09 left in the first half, Darryce Moore ignited a 14-3 run with two straight layups to put Ohio State up 27-22.
Ohio State would take a 31-26 lead into the half and quickly extended its lead to 36-26 when Hill converted on a breakout layup with 18:48 left. This was immediately after Hill drilled a straight-on three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer on the previous possession.
Illinois would then rally to cut the lead to four, 36-32, but it was all Ohio State the rest of the way as the Buckeyes once again relied on defense and ball movement on the offensive end to work the shot clock and wear down the Illini.
For the seventh straight game, Ohio State’s defense held the opponent to 60 points or less while holding the Illini to 29 percent from the field. Adams added four blocked shots and held Karisma Penn to 7 of 20 from the field.
Moore had 12 points off the bench and Ameryst Alston eight points for the Buckeyes, who made 19 of 24 from the free throw line.
Penn led Illinois with 24 points in her final game at Assembly Hall.
Ohio State is back in action at Noon Sunday vs. Michigan in the regular-season finale. Three seniors will be playing in their final home game at Value City Arena: Emilee Harmon, Tayler Hill and Amber Stokes. The senior ceremony will take place immediately following the game.
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