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Buckeyes can’t stop Paul, who scores 43 in upset

Career-high effort one of the top scoring feats in Illini history.

Illinois' Brandon Paul (right) tries to control the ball as Ohio State's Aaron Craft makes a grab during the first half Tuesday in Champaign, Ill.

Heather Coit/AP Photo Illinois' Brandon Paul (right) tries to control the ball as Ohio State's Aaron Craft makes a grab during the first half Tuesday in Champaign, Ill.

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By David Mercer, Associated Press 12:09 AM Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brandon Paul had one of the best nights in Illinois history Tuesday, scoring a career-high 43 points that included a 3-pointer with less than a minute to play to help Illinois upset No. 5 Ohio State 79-74.

The Illini (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten) led 71-70 when Paul sank his off-balance 3-pointer with 43 seconds to play. He followed that up with four free throws that put the game out of reach. Paul scored the final 15 points for the Illini.

Ohio State (15-3, 3-2) led 39-34 at halftime, and was up 64-61 with just over five minutes to play.

But with the game tied at 66 with just over two minutes to play, Joseph Bertrand swiped the ball from William Buford, putting the ball in Paul’s hands for a baseline 3-pointer that put the Illini up 69-66.

Paul’s 43 points was the third-highest scoring performance in Illini history and he tied a school record with eight 3-pointers.

Meyers Leonard added 14 for Illinois and Bertrand and D.J. Richardson scored 10 each.

Deshaun Thomas scored 23 points and Jared Sullinger added 21 for Ohio State. William Buford had 15 points for the Buckeyes and Aaron Craft added 12.

Ohio State looked ready to put the Illini away early in the second half, stretching its lead to 48-37 in the opening two minutes on an efficient run that yielded nine points over four possessions. The last three points came from Thomas on a jump shot and a free throw.

But Illinois ran off its own 7-0 run, pulling to with two at 48-46 on a 3-pointer by Richardson. Paul stole the ball from Sullinger, broke down the court and quickly fed his junior teammate. It was the kind of run Illinois was able to answer with all night.

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