News Local/State

Hill Delivers Nail-Biting 60-58 Illini Win Over Penn State

 
Illinois' Kendrick Nunn controls the ball in front of Penn State Guard D. J. Newbill.

Illinois' guard Kendrick Nunn (25) controls the ball in front of Penn State's guard D.J. Newbill (2) during the first half of Saturday's 60-58 win. (AP Photo/Robin Scholz)

Illinois forward Malcolm Hill scored 27 points Saturday including two on a layup with four seconds left in the game to deliver a 60-58 win over Penn State.

Hill was mobbed at midcourt by teammates when Penn State's last, desperate attempt to tie fell short.

The win was relief for an Illini team (14-8, 4-5) already depleted by injury that got more bad news just before game time.

Coach John Groce suspended two of those injured players, Rayvonte Rice and Aaron Cosby, indefinitely for unspecified violations of team rules.

Kendrick Nunn added 10 points for Illinois. Leron Black had a game-high seven rebounds.

D.J. Newbill led Penn State (14-8, 2-7) with 20 points. Shep Garner added 14.

Penn State played without starting forward Brandon Taylor for the second straight game. He has a knee injury.