6Illinois 63 - 64 Penn State
Final
  for this game

Illinois looking to exact measure of revenge against Penn St

Mar 5, 2009 - 11:11 AM No. 23 Illinois (23-7) at Penn State (20-9) 9:00 p.m. EST

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- No. 23 Illinois will be looking to erase some bad memories when it takes on Penn State Thursday.

In one of the ugliest games of the season, the Fighting Illini endured a 38-33 loss to the Nittany Lions on February 18. The teams' 71 total points was the lowest in Division I men's baskeball since 2005, when Monmouth beat Princeton, 41-21.

The Nittany Lions shot just 28 percent (13-of-46), while the Illini finished at 30 percent (15-of-50). Illinois also failed to attempt a free throw.

Playing its last regular-season game, Illinois (23-7, 11-6 Big Ten) could wrap up at least a third seed for next week's conference tournament with a win. Penn State (20-9, 9-7) is hoping to enchance its NCAA Tournament resume.

Talor Battle scored 16 points as Penn State overcame a poor effort from the free-throw line in a 61-58 victory over Indiana on Saturday. The Nittany Lions, who improved to 3-4 in their last seven games, went just 7-of-17 from the line.

After this game, Penn State closes the regular season at Iowa on Saturday.

Illinois had its hopes for a conference title denied Sunday as it endured a 74-66 home loss to Michigan State.






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