Purdue, Hummel Hold Off Illinois 67-62
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Robbie Hummel scored 19 points and three other Boilermakers scored in double figures Wednesday night, helping Purdue hold off struggling Illinois 67-62.
Lewis Jackson and D.J. Byrd added 13 points each and Terone Johnson scored 12 for Purdue (17-9, 7-6 Big Ten).
The Illini (16-10, 5-8) repeatedly closed to within two over the game's final 10 minutes. But the Boilermakers found a way to climb away every time.
The last came on Hummel's free throw with 19.5 seconds to play that put the Boilers up 65-62. With Illinois forced to foul, Hummel then sank two more.
Freshman Tracy Abrams led Illinois with a career-high 22 points. Brandon Paul added 19 points.
Illinois has lost seven of eight while Purdue has won two straight to stay in the top half of the Big Ten.
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