Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Jamar Butler poured in a game-high 32 points, as the Ohio State Buckeyes notched a 74-58 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini in Big Ten play at Assembly Hall.

Butler hit on 4-of-7 shots from long range and he also grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists, as Ohio State (10-3, 1-0 BigTen) won its sixth game in a row. Othello Hunter turned in 15 points and seven rebounds for the Buckeyes, who have now won 17-consecutive games against Big Ten foes.

Brian Randle paced Illinois (8-6, 0-1) in defeat with 14 points and five rebounds. Shaun Pruitt finished with 12 points and eight boards, while Demetri McCamey contributed 10 points off the bench. The Illini has now dropped two games in a row.

The Illini hit on 41.4 percent of its shots from the floor over the first 20 minutes of play, capturing a 30-29 lead at the half.

In the second frame, Ohio State made 55.6 percent of its attempts from the field and 5-of-11 from behind the arc, as it pulled away for the 16-point victory.

The Buckeyes did it with defense tonight, as they not only forced 18 turnovers, but they also held Illinois to a lackluster 39.0 percent shooting effort from the floor.