Illinois 60, Penn State 55: Freshman Kendrick Nunn scored a career-high 19 points to help the Fighting Illini break an eight-game losing streak.

Nunn and Malcolm Hill were given their first collegiate starts by coach John Groce, as Illinois (14-10, 3-8 Big Ten) went with a four-guard lineup. Hill scored a career-best 11 points, as the freshman duo accounted for 30 of the starting five's 43 points.

D.J. Newbill scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds for Penn State (12-12, 3-8), while Tim Frazier added 11. The Nittany Lions were 5-of-18 from 3-point range and 8-of-11 from the free-throw line.

Penn State started off well, scoring the game's first seven points and was up nine before Illinois went on a 10-0 run to take its first lead midway through the first half. Illinois had a nine-point advantage with three minutes to play in the half, but the Nittany Lions scored nine straight to tie the game at the break.

The second half was just as close, with seven lead changes, the last coming on Nunn's layup with 5:15 to play to put Illinois up one. That was part of a closing 11-3 run that allowed the Illini to taste victory for the first time in more than a month.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Illinois G Tracy Abrams, who came into the game averaging 11.9 points, was nearly shut out for the first time this season, but he hit two free throws with 12 seconds to play for his only points. … The Illini's last win was Jan. 4 against Penn State. … Neither team was sloppy with the ball, with each team committing just six turnovers in the contest.