Illini plow past Penn State

On a bizarre night at the Assembly Hall - only 3,470 sloshed their snow boots through the turnstiles - the Illini (15-7, 5-4 Big Ten) overcame the icy elements and the Nittany Lions (12-9, 5-5) to clinch a much-needed win. The pep band chimed in with "Jingle Bells" as the Illini left the court with their biggest margin of victory against Penn State in four years.

Midway through the first half, P.A. announcer Mike Cation became the most popular figure in the Hall by announcing open seating in the Hall. Fans rushed into A Section and lower B. With 8 minutes left in regulation, the news that today's classes were cancelled circulated through the Orange Krush, which began chanting, "Snow day! Snow day!"

Klee