PHOTOS: Illinois loses to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Seth Lundy drives to the basket between Illinois's Sencire Harris (1) and Ty Rodgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) celebrates after scoring and getting fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. Penn State won 79-76. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) celebrates with Camren Wynter after scoring and getting fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. Penn State won 79-76. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) celebrates after scoring and getting fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. Penn State won 79-76. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Camren Wynter (11) shoots over Illinois's Sencire Harris during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Kanye Clary (0) intercepts a pass for Illinois's Terrence Shannon Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Kanye Clary drives too the basket as Illinois's Sencire Harris defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) shoots over Illinois's Dain Dainja during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Seth Lundy (1) shoots over Illinois's Coleman Hawkins during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Illinois's Matthew Mayer (24) shoots over Penn State's Jalen Pickett during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) shoots over Illinois's Luke Goode during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Illinois's Dain Dainja, left, shoots over Penn State's Kebba Njie during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
B10 Penn St Illinois Basketball
Illinois's Dain Dainja (42) is fouled as Penn State's Jalen Pickett (22) and Michael Henn (24) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Despite a second-half lead and a postseason matchup, the third time wasn’t the charm for Illinois against Penn State.