COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu returned after missing three games with a concussion and facial injuries to help lead No. 4 Illinois, as the men’s basketball team rallied late to beat No. 7 Ohio State 73-68, Saturday at Value City Arena in Columbus.
Dosunmu, protecting a broken nose with a face mask suitable for a costumed crime fighter, scored 19 points, four rebounds and three assists. The 6’5″ point guard produced the last five points of the game, breaking a 68-68 tie in the final minute.
Andre Curbelo also had 19 points, plus five rebounds and six assists, as Illinois got its second straight road win over a top 10 team after routing No. 2 Michigan on Tuesday. Kofi Cockburn scored 12 points and six rebounds.
The Illini have won 11 of their last 12 games, and finish the regular season with a record of 20-6 overall and 16-4 in Big Ten Conference play. They enter next week’s Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis with a double-bye.
E,J. Liddell led the Buckeyes with 19 points, and Duane Washington Jr. and Justice Sueing each had 15.
