Ohio State Vs. Illinois Final Score: Buckeyes Roll, 83-67

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CHAMPAIGN IL - JANUARY 22: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta celebrates with Deshaun Thomas #1 following the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on January 22 2011 in Champaign Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Ohio State rolled against Illinois on Tuesday night to move within one-half game of the Big Ten Conference lead.

Feb 21, 2012 - The Ohio State Buckeyes used a dominant first half to roll the Illinois Fighting Illini at home on Tuesday night, 83-67.

Bouncing back from Saturday's 56-51 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio St. opened up a 42-26 halftime lead and hardly slowed down, using the win to move one-half game behind leader Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference standings.

The Buckeyes (23-5, 11-4) were paced by Deshaun Thomas' 19 points and a stout defense that held Illinois to just 39.7 percent shooting. William Buford added 17 points and Aaron Craft pitched in 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals for Ohio State, which shot a scorching 65.3 percent from the field.

Meyers Leonard led Illinois (16-12, 5-10) with 21 points.

11:03 remaining in the 2nd	1	2	Total
Illinois Fighting Illini	26	14	40
Ohio St. Buckeyes	42	15	57

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