Battle grounds

Battle's score with 0.3 second left lifted Penn State to a 64-63 win. "We've struggled there the last couple years," UI junior Mike Tisdale said. None of the current Illini has played in a win at Bryce Jordan Center. The most recent triumph was three years ago. "I know they feel like they have a hex on us," Weber said. The main reason is Battle, an electric scorer that is strikingly small when you see him in person. But his playmaking talents are significant. Listed at 6-0, 170 pounds, Battle is one of two players from the six power conferences to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals (Seth Tarver, Oregon State). D.J. Richardson studied Battle's tendencies prior to their first meeting and held him to nine points. He's averaged 27 points in the three games since then. "I'm going to do everything I can," Richardson said.

Klee