CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A.J. Hammons scored 17 points to lead Purdue to a 66-58 win over Illinois on Wednesday.
The Boilermakers (12-5, 2-2 Big Ten) trailed 33-29 at halftime, but they opened the second half with 10-5 run to regain the lead and held off the Illini (13-5, 2-3).
The 7-foot Hammons was a force inside for Purdue. He finished with a game-high eight rebounds — the Boilermakers held a 42-31 advantage on the boards — and was a big reason why Purdue scored 30 points in the paint.
Ronnie Johnson added 13 points for Purdue while Terone Johnson had 10.
The loss was the third straight for the Illini.
Tracy Abrams led Illinois with 13 points. Rayvonte Rice had 10 by halftime but the Boilermakers stifled the Big Ten’s leading scorer in the second half. He finished with 11.
