No. 4 Ohio State 69, Illinois 60

2/11/2007 6:47 PM

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -Marscilla Packer made up for Brandie Hoskins' absence in Ohio State's first game since a season-ending injury to its second-leading scorer.

Jessica Davenport scored 28 points and Packer added 17 as the fourth-ranked Buckeyes beat Illinois 69-60 on Sunday.

Hoskins, averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 assists, tore her left Achilles' tendon Thursday at Minnesota.

``We obviously tailored some stuff we did for Brandie's unique game, but does that inhibit Marscilla's ability because we're not using her abilities as well?'' Ohio State coach Jim Foster said. ``We didn't have to. Today without Brandie, we see Marscilla is also a playmaker.''

Davenport, averaging 17.6 points and 9.4 rebounds coming in to this game, played all 40 minutes for the Buckeyes (23-1, 12-0 Big Ten), drawing Illinois' defensive focus and creating open outside shots for her teammates.

Senior guard Stephanie Blanton scored all seven of her points in the final 3:45 for Ohio State.

``If you're doubling somewhere, there's going to be somebody open,'' Illinois coach Theresa Grentz said. ``You're taking your chances and you're going to hope Blanton doesn't knock that shot down or whatever, but maybe she does. You're rolling the dice.''

Illinois (16-8, 6-6) took a six-point lead when Lacey Simpson made a 3-pointer with 11:56 left in the first half. However, Packer hit a 3, Tamarah Riley made a jumper and Packer hit another jump shot to put the Buckeyes back on top with 9:45 to go.

The Illini and Buckeyes traded leads four times and tied things up five times in the first half. But Ohio State went on a 5-0 run in the last 2:17 before the break to make it 31-25 at the half. Davenport led all scorers with 14 points at the break, and Lori Bjork led Illinois with 10 points.

``We started off slow, then after the first few minutes we matched their intensity,'' Bjork said. ``But you can't just play hard. You've got to execute and find a way to win.''

Davenport made a quick two and Packer added a 3 to stretch Ohio State's lead after the half.

Bjork answered with a 3 and the teams traded shots for the next 10 minutes, though Illinois struggled to close the gap.

``I think the tempo of the game increased in the second half,'' Foster said. ``Quicker shots were happening earlier on offense than they were in the first half.''

Jenna Smith hit a pair of free throws to pull the Illini to 52-47 with 6:05 to go. However, Davenport made a jumper to push the Buckeyes' lead back to seven with 5:48 left.

Illinois tried to chip away at the margin, thanks in large part to Bjork, who made a 3-pointer with 5:37 to go and then split a pair of free throws. But the Buckeyes made five of their last six free throws to seal the win.

``We had the right amount of energy, we tried to move the ball,'' Davenport said. ``Even though Brandie's gone we have a lot of season left to play. I think we shot the ball well, but rebounding and overall defense is something you can always improve on.''