PSU / Illinois - 0 FTs for Ill.

[grunewar]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - As the Assembly Hall emptied out, one hoarse fan shouted he wanted his money back.

Penn State coach Ed DeChellis seemed to understand, saying the game between his Nittany Lions and 18th-ranked Illinois might have set basketball back a few years to the days of founder James Naismith.

Come to think of it, "Naismith probably rolled over several times," DeChellis said after Penn State's 38-33 victory over No. 18 Illinois on Wednesday night.
Naismith might liked the score, which looked like something from a long-gone, pre-shot clock era.

But the game? Probably not.

The teams' combined 71 points was the lowest total in Division I men's basketball since Monmouth beat Princeton 41-21 in 2005.

The Nittany Lions (19-8, 8-6 Big Ten) made just 28 percent of their shots, 13-46. During one 20-minute stretch, Penn State was just 3-for-26.
The Illini (21-6, 9-5) were no better, shooting 30 percent (15-for-50) and committing 15 turnovers.