Big Ten Up To Challenge Against ACC

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 3, 2009 4:20PM

Illinois mounted an incredible rally to overcome a 23-point deficit and knock off #19 Clemson by a 76-74 final in their leg of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The comeback was the largest in Illini history and saw four of five Illini starters score in double-figures, led by Mike Davis who had 22 and Brandon Paul who had 20.

The Illini victory helped out big time as the the Big Ten finally beat the ACC in their annual Big Ten - ACC Challenge, winning by a narrow 6-5 margin. Besides the Illini victory, an upset of 5th ranked Duke by Wisconsin, 73-69, helped the Big Ten's cause. Ohio St. was the other Big Ten winner on Wednesday night, beating Florida St. while Minnesota lost to Miami and Boston College outlasted Michigan. Tuesday night, Purdue and Northwestern were the conference's two winners and Penn St. kicked off the Challenge with a victory on Monday.