Columbus, Ohio — With one of Ohio State’s key big men out with an ankle injury, freshman E.J. Liddell stepped in and played his best game as a Buckeye so far. Liddell slammed in a dunk that gave the Buckeyes the lead for good on the way to tying a career high with 17 points and pulling down a career-best 11 rebounds as No. 19 Ohio State pulled away for a 71-63 win over No. 23 Illinois on Thursday. Ohio State’s Kaleb Wesson, center, shoots between Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn, left, and Kipper Nichols during the second half. (Photo: Jay LaPrete, Associated Press) “Knowing that we’re down a few guys, E.J. has definitely been stepping up,” said Andre Wesson, a senior who played his last game at Value City Arena. “You can definitely see it in practice. He’s just been playing better and better and just his energy today, his physicality,…
Continue Reading: Thursday's college basketball: Ohio State puts dent in Illinois Big Ten title hopes
