Illinois 68, Penn State 50

Shaun Pruitt scored 20 points and Warren Carter added 17 as the Illini frontline dominated the paint and cruised to an important 68-50 win from Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon.

Brian Randle contributed 10 points for Illinois as the Illini bigs combined for 47 points on 20-of-29 shooting. The Illini shot 56% from the field against the worst defense in the Big Ten this season and they controlled the boards, 33-22.

Mike Walker led the Lions with 14 points, 12 of which came from four long second-half 3-pointers, and Geary Claxton added 12 for Penn State, which lost its 13th straight game.

Most people who follow the Illini agreed that this game was absolutely a must-win game for Illinois, although winning the game likely won't help the Illini's argument for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament as much as losing it would have hurt Illinois' chances for an invitation to the tourney. The important thing is that the Illini (21-9 overall, 9-6 in the Big Ten) took care of business against Penn State (10-17 overall, 1-13 in the Big Ten) early and often, leading from start to finish with a comfortable margin.

Illinois' win from Penn State, coupled with Michigan State's victory from visiting Indiana, vaulted the Illini into sole possession of third place in the Big Ten. Michigan State, Indiana and Iowa are all 1/2 game behind the Illini with 8-6 Big Ten records. The Illini conclude their regular season schedule next Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa against the Hawkeyes.

A bright orange block of between 50 and 100 Orange Krush members made the bus trip to Happy Valley to root on the Illini. It should be a fun return trip home for these road warriors.

Illinois 68, Penn State 50