State College, Pa. – In a thrilling Big Ten upset, Penn State secured a dramatic 90-89 victory over No. 12 Illinois on Wednesday night, capped by Zach Hicks’ clutch free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining.
Penn State (13-14, 7-9 Big Ten) orchestrated a stunning comeback in the final 35 seconds, scoring the last eight points of the game. Nick Kern Jr. led the charge with a career-high 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half. Hicks and Qudus Wahab each contributed 13 points, while Ace Baldwin Jr. recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists.
Illinois (19-7, 10-5) led by as much as 14 points in the second half, with Terrence Shannon Jr. delivering a career-high 35 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Fighting Illini’s substantial lead evaporated in the closing moments.
Despite Marcus Domask’s two free throws giving Illinois an 89-82 lead with 1:17 left, Penn State initiated its comeback. Jameel Brown’s crucial 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining ignited the rally. A steal by Brown on Illinois’ inbounds pass led to a Puff Johnson layup, narrowing the deficit to two.
In the waning seconds, Coleman Hawkins missed two crucial free throws for Illinois, setting the stage for Hicks’ heroics. Fouled on a long 3-point attempt, Hicks nervelessly sank all three free throws, propelling Penn State to its first lead of the half. Illinois had a final opportunity, but Justin Harmon’s attempted game-winner rimmed out.
Penn State showcased a scorching start, hitting seven consecutive shots to establish a 16-7 lead in the opening five minutes. Despite Illinois responding with a 7-0 run, the Nittany Lions maintained control, heading into halftime with a narrow lead of 34-33.
Illinois took command in the latter part of the first half, closing with a 20-0 run to lead 53-47 at halftime. Shannon’s spectacular performance continued in the second half, but Kern’s heroics, scoring 13 consecutive points for Penn State, kept the hosts within striking distance.
Penn State’s remarkable comeback and Hicks’ late-game heroics sealed the upset, providing a memorable victory for the Nittany Lions in their first game at Rec Hall since December 2015.
