DaytonDailyNews.com

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Miami's 61-58 overtime victory over Illinois the team's first-ever win over the Illini and only the RedHawks' 14th against a Big Ten Conference opponent in 51 games.

The RedHawks' most recent triumph over a Big Ten opponent was Nov. 19, 2004, when Miami opened the season with an 81-71 victory over Purdue at Millett Hall.

That wasn't a surprise since six of Miami's Big Ten wins have come at the expense of the Boilermakers. The others, in addition to Illinois, were against Indiana (three), Ohio State (two) and Michigan and Northwestern (one each).

Overall, Miami is 6-12 against Purdue, 3-21 against Indiana and 2-3 against Ohio State.

Big man on campus

At first, it seemed the RedHawks had no answer for Shaun Pruitt, the Illini's 6-foot-10, 245-pound center. He got the ball when he wanted and took it to wherever he wanted.

And he did finish with game highs in both points (24) and rebounds (15), and even found the range at the free throw line, going 6-for-10 after missing four of his first five (not counting two other misses which were wiped out by Miami lane violations).

But even Pruitt had to admit that Miami's defense, particularly Tyler Dierkers, did a good job of containing him in the second half when Illinois failed to make a field goal during a span of 12 minutes, 58 seconds.

"They're a good defensive team. You have to give them credit," Pruitt said. "They packed it in. They make you shoot tough shots.. Dierkers did a better job of trying to fight around (in the second half) and also made me think a little bit when I did get the ball."

Miami's defense did two other things. It took the crowd out of the game, for the most part, and limited Illinois to just 2-of-15 shooting from the 3-point arc.

Bramos bounces back

Michael Bramos, who missed Miami's previous game with a sprained ankle, did not start against Illinois but came into the game after only 5:06. He scored 19 points, hitting 7-of-13 field goal attempts, including 3-of-7 treys.

"It took me a good five minutes to get warm," Bramos said. "Once I got warm, (the ankle) felt pretty good."

Heady company

Miami became the first team to beat Illinois at Assembly Hall this season and the fourth team overall to secure a victory over the Illini.

The other three teams? Duke, Maryland and Arizona.

Illinois fell to Duke 79-66 at the Maui Invitational, lost at Maryland 69-61 and was defeated by Arizona 78-72 in overtime at the Lexus December to Remember Classic in Chicago.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.