Brandon Paul exploded for 43 points to lead Illinois to a 79-74 win over No. 5 Ohio State at Assembly Hall.

Illinois (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten) snapped a five game losing streak to the Buckeyes. Ohio State (15-3, 3-2 Big Ten) trails the all-time series with the Fighting Illini 103-69.

Paul's effort tied the record for the third-highest point total in Illinois history, as he hit 11 of 15 from the field. He hit two free throws in the final moments to ice the win for the Illini in a game that saw eight ties.

Paul, with Ohio State’s Aaron Craft draped all over him, buried his eighth 3-pointer of the game to put Illinois ahead 74-70 with 43 seconds remaining. He followed that with a weak-side block on Buckeyes center Jared Sullinger, his fourth rejection of the game.

Sullinger scored 21 points for Ohio State while Deshaun Thomas led the Buckeyes with 23 points. Senior William Buford added 15 points, nailing some clutch jumpers down the stretch.

Illinois got 14 points from 7-footer Meyers Leonard, who stretched the Ohio State defense with his perimeter jumpers. D.J. Richardson and Joseph Bertrand each added 10 points in the win.

The Fighting Illini improved to 10-1 in games decided by less than 10 points and 6-1 in contests decided by five or fewer.