Paul’s 43 guide Illini past OSU

By DOUG LESMERISES

Cleveland Plain Dealer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.

The showdowns were everywhere. The Ohio State defense vs. Illinois’ inability to take care of the ball. Buckeye big man Jared Sullinger vs. the Illini’s 7-foot-1 Meyers Leonard. Ohio State’s William Buford vs. his recent shooting slump. And Illinois guard Brandon Paul vs. anyone who, mostly unsuccessfully, tried to stop him.

On the road, amid the orange, attempting to still prove themselves away from home, No. 5 Ohio State lost to Illinois, 79-74, Tuesday night. OSU coach Thad Matta, after winning at Iowa by 29 on Saturday, had said he’d wait until after this game to really assess where the Buckeyes (15-3, 3-2 Big Ten) were as a road team.

Well, now they’re 2-3 on the road. That’s what can happen when a player like Paul drops 43 points on you.

Illinois (15-3, 4-1) moved to 11-0 at home this season and broke a five-game losing streak against the Buckeyes. Ohio State, coming home for a rematch with Indiana on Sunday after losing at Bloomington on Dec. 31, has to reassert itself in a tough conference that isn’t going to make anything easy.

In a tight first half, the Buckeyes created the opportunity to extend the lead before the break, forcing shot-clock and five-second violations on consecutive possessions. They were two of the 10 turnovers Illinois committed in the first half, and helped Ohio State take a 39-34 halftime lead.

But when the Illini didn’t give the ball away, they gave it to Paul, who scored 15 of Illinois’ 34 first-half points.