INDIANA 84, ILLINOIS 71: Freshman Cody Zeller scored 22 points and won the battle of the Big Ten big men, outplaying 7-footer Meyers Leonard, to lead No. 23 Indiana to the win over Illinois.

Indiana (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) improved to 14-1 inside Assembly Hall and picked up just its second win in its last seven meetings with the Fighting Illini. Illinois (16-8, 5-6 Big Ten) lost for the fifth time in the past six games.

Zeller ran the middle of the floor for a two-handed flush and the foul, knocking down the following free throw to put Indiana up 52-46 with just under 16 minutes remaining. He finished off another huge dunk to keep the Hoosiers ahead with just over six minutes to play, part of a 17-6 run for Indiana.

Christian Watford drained a deep 3-pointer then scored on a layup to put Indiana up by 12 points with less than five minutes remaining. He finished with 18 points and was one of four Indiana starters to score in double figures.

Leonard, who scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half, got caught up in the physical play and picked up two quick fouls to open the second half, fouling out with just over four minutes left in the game.

Big Ten conference-leading scorer Brandon Paul had a quiet night, but backcourt mate D.J. Richardson picked up the slack, scoring 19 points and shooting 5 for 12 from outside.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Illinois shot 53.8 percent in the first half. … Both teams were perfect 21 for 21 from the foul line in the first half, with Indiana going 16 for 16. … Indiana takes the edge in the all-time series 84-83. … The 13-point loss snaps a streak of eight straight games decided by five or less points for the Illini.