Illini Grind Out Home Win Against Hoosiers

January 23, 2007 11:54 AM

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

In the uber-hyped first Assembly Hall appearance of Kelvin Sampson since the finale of the bitter Eric Gordon recruiting battle, Illinois beat Indiana 51-43 to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. The Illini used stingy defense and strong games from Rich McBride, Shaun Pruitt, and Warren Carter to inch closer to .500 in conference play. Tonight's injury victim du jour was Brian Randle, who had to sit out due to plantar fasciitis (a hurting heel of the foot). Next up, Illinois travels to Purdue on Saturday. Recap. Thread.

Photos by Cary Frye courtesy of fryeimages. Many more photos of the game after the jump!