Illini Let Lead Slip Away in 90-89 Loss To Penn State

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Published on February 22 2024 6:48 am
Last Updated on February 22 2024 6:48 am

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 12 Illinois let a late lead slip away in a 90-89 road loss to Penn State at Rec Hall on Wednesday night.

The Fighting Illini led by as many as 14, but the Nittany Lions scored the final eight points of the night in the Orange and Blue's fifth Big Ten loss of the season.

All 10 Illini who saw the floor recorded at least two points, while all five starters notched at least five points.

Terrence Shannon Jr. recorded a double-double with a career-high 35 points and 11 rebounds. Shannon reached the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season, and he grabbed double-digit boards for the third time during the 2023-24 campaign. Amassing double-digit free throws for the second consecutive game, he also made one block and one steal.

Marcus Domask scored in double figures for the 17th game in a row, pouring in nine of his 15 points in the second half. Domask dished out a team-high six assists, his fifth game with at least six helpers. He also grabbed three rebounds.

Coleman Hawkins amassed nine points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.

Luke Goode connected on three 3-pointers off the bench en route to a nine-point scoring effort, while he also snagged five boards.

The Fighting Illini accumulated 19 offensive rebounds, including a team-high five from Ty Rodgers, and they totaled 19 second-chance points via those boards. Illinois outrebounded Penn State, 49-25, the team's second-largest rebounding margin in conference play this season.

No. 12 Illinois (19-7, 10-5 B1G) hosts its Hail to the Orange Out on Saturday, when Iowa comes to town. Tipoff from State Farm Center in Champaign is slated for 1:15 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.