In Act of Desperation, Anderson Gives Illinois a 70-67 Victory Over Indiana
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Nick Anderson’s desperation 35-footer at the buzzer gave eighth-ranked Illinois a 70-67 victory over third-ranked Indiana Sunday, preventing the Hoosiers from clinching the Big Ten title.
Illinois (25-4 overall, 12-4 in the Big Ten), which can tie Indiana (24-6, 14-2) by winning its last two games if the Hoosiers drop their final two, overcame a 13-point deficit in the final 12 minutes to snap Indiana’s 15-game home winning streak.
After Jay Edwards’ 12-foot baseline jumper tied the score, 67-67, with three seconds left, Anderson, who scored 23 points, took a long pass and made his game-winning three-pointer.
Illinois trailed, 47-34, with 11:31 left before going on an 18-7 run. Anderson’s dunk pulled Illinois to within 54-52 with 5:48 left. Indiana managed to hold the lead until Stephen Bardo sank a three-pointer to give Illinois a 67-65 edge with 1:38 left.
Joe Hillman had a career-high 24 points for Indiana and Edwards scored 17. Kenny Battle had 19 points for Illinois.
