Meyers Leonard scored 12 points and blocked what would have been the game-winning shot to lead Illinois to a 57-56 win over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Illinois (13-3) snapped a two-game losing skid in Evanston and picked up its 21st win in the last 24 meetings with the Wildcats.

Northwestern (11-4) trails the all-time series with the Fighting Illini 129-36.

With Illinois up by one point, Northwestern’s Drew Crawford drove the lane and was met by Illinois' 7-footer who swatted the shot as time expired. Leonard added eight rebounds and two blocks to his stat line.

After falling behind by 10 points in the first half, Leonard hammered a one-handed fast-break dunk to cut the lead to five heading into the break. That sparked a 16-3 run for Illinois that spanned the half, grabbing the lead just three minutes into the second half and never giving it up.

Alex Marcotullio and John Shurna buried back-to-back 3-pointers to pull Northwestern to within one point with just 37 seconds left in the game. That 3-pointer was Shurna’s only bucket in the second half, after scoring 17 in the first half.

Northwestern was shut down by a tough Illinois defense in the second half, shooting just 6 for 25 in the final frame. The Wildcats hit only 5 of 18 shots from beyond the arc. Crawford chipped in with eight points and six rebounds in the loss.

Joseph Bertrand scored all of his 10 points in the second half, pacing an aggressive Illini offense that attacked the rim for 30 points in the paint. Fellow guards Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson combined for 18 points in the win.

Illinois starting guard Sam Maniscalco did not play due to a nagging ankle injury. Tracy Abrams started in his place and did not score.