No. 13 Michigan Beats Illini, 72-61
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Tim Hardaway Jr. had 25 points and 11 rebounds to help keep No. 13 Michigan in the Big Ten title race with a 72-61 win over Illinois on Thursday night.
Trey Burke added 21 points for Michigan (22-8, 12-5), which led throughout.
Illinois (17-13, 6-11) closed to within 40-39 with just over 15 minutes left. But the Illini missed three chances to tie the game or take a lead.
The Wolverines stretched the lead to 53-44 with 7:49 to play and Illinois was never close again. Michigan can claim a share of the conference title with a win Sunday over Penn State and an Ohio State win over Michigan State.
Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 18 points and nine rebounds. Illinois' Brandon Paul added 15 points
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