Illinois closed the game on a 16-3 run, helped by some late free throws to put an end to Purdue's mini two-game winning streak.

This year’s Big Ten tournament carries higher stakes. The Boilermakers were picked as the preseason conference favorite. They held sole possession of first place with a month remaining in the regular season. Yet they stumbled back to Indianapolis as the 6 seed, well off the pace of that coveted third consecutive championship.