Boilermakes beat Illinois

Published 11:32 pm Saturday, March 14, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Robbie Hummel finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds Saturday, and JaJuan Johnson had 20 points and three blocks to lead the Purdue Boilermakers to a 66-56 win over Illinois and into the Big Ten tournament championship game.

The victory ends third-seeded Purdue’s three-game losing streak to the Illini (24-9) and sets up a rematch with fifth-seeded Ohio State, an 82-70 upset winner over No. 7 Michigan State. The Boilermakers and Buckeyes split the first two games this season, each winning at home.

It’s the first time since 1998 that Purdue (24-9) will play for the tourney title.

Email newsletter signup