No. 3 Illinois Falls to Ohio St.

Ohio State’s Sean Connolly never had a doubt when the ball left his hands. Illinois’ Frank Williams never had a chance.

Connolly’s three-point basket with 30 seconds left was decisive for Ohio State in a 63-61 victory over No. 3-ranked Illinois Thursday night at Columbus, Ohio.

“It felt like it was going in when it left my hand,” said Connolly, a transfer from Providence in his first season with Ohio State.

Illinois’ Brian Cook missed a three-point shot with nine seconds remaining. Ohio State’s Tim Martin rebounded and was fouled but missed both free throws.

Williams, who had beaten Ohio State in the Big Ten opener last season with a three-point basket at the buzzer, took the inbounds pass and dribbled to the left wing. Pressured by three defenders, his shot with two seconds left wasn’t close.

“They did a good job of trapping me and they did a good job of making it so I couldn’t see anyone to pass to,” said Williams, who had a game-high 22 points.

Illinois, 21-6 overall and 11-3 in the Big Ten, had a win streak end at five games but still holds the conference lead by a half-game over Michigan State. Ohio State (18-9, 9-5) has won five Big Ten games in a row.

Hundreds of fans rushed to the floor at Value City Arena after the final buzzer.

“Anyone who beats them deserves to rush the floor,” said Ohio State Coach Jim O’Brien. “That’s the price Illinois pays for having a great program.”

Ken Johnson, honored before the game as Ohio State’s only senior, blocked two shots to tie former Penn State player Calvin Booth for the most in a career (428) by a Big Ten player. He also scored 16 points to became the 39th Ohio State player to get 1,000 points in a career.

No. 2 North Carolina 95, Florida State 67--Joseph Forte scored 36 points at Chapel Hill, N.C., as the Tar Heels (22-3, 12-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) rebounded from their first loss in 2 1/2 months.

North Carolina had its win streak end at 18 games at Clemson Sunday, but shot 57% percent against Florida State (7-19, 2-11). Forte, coming off a six-for-19 shooting game, was 15 for 24 in topping 30 points for the third time this season.

Brendan Haywood had five blocked shots, tying him with Rasheed Wallace for the most in a season (93) at North Carolina.

Kansas Coach Roy Williams, who turned down North Carolina when its job was open last summer, was in attendance. Florida State Coach Steve Robinson and North Carolina’s Matt Doherty were Williams’ assistants at Kansas.

No. 25 Providence 119, Binghamton (N.Y.) 58--The Friars (20-7)--in the Top 25 for the first time since January 1989--shot 68.2% against the Division II Bearcats (14-12) at Providence, R.I.

Twelve players scored for Providence--five in double figures led by Roumuald Augustin at 17. the Friars led, 61-22, at halftime.

Binghamton moves to Division I next season.