CHICAGO – In away contests against Indiana and Iowa, the Illinois failed to execute down the stretch, breaking down defensively. Playing against Indiana for the third time this season, it looked as if the same fate would strike again. But in a fashion similar to how their season has gone, and the ways in which they have continuously showed resolve,

Illinois battled back from a four-point deficit with 4:16 remaining to force an overtime period to win a 58-54 decision over Indiana (20-10) on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The Illini’s 12 missed free throws nearly ended the team’s chances of earning an NCAA Tournament berth.

“I’m proud of our kids and our staff, ” head coach Bruce Weber said. “It seemed like earlier in our season, nothing could go right. But, Illinois has 23 wins and they’re hanging in there and they’re playing on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament.”

Senior Warren Carter led the Illini (23-10) with 17 points, to go along with seven rebounds, while junior center Shaun Pruitt had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Trent Meacham made three key free throws in the final eight seconds of the overtime period.

Illinois opened the game with a 6-0 start, but played behind for much of the first half. Their 39-35 second half advantage disappeared when Indiana’s A.J. Ratliff and Armon Bassett hit back-to-back three-pointers to take a 43-41 lead with 5:27 remaining.

“It seems like we keep getting knocked down, but we don’t quit,” Weber said.

The Illini will face second-seeded Wisconsin in a 3:05 semifinal on Saturday. In their only meeting of the year on Jan. 20, the Badgers defeated the Illini, 74-61.