Northern Illinois Holds Off Akron Comeback
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Travon Baker, playing in his 78th consecutive start, scored 21 points, including a pair of free throws with four seconds left to play, as Northern Illinois held off Akron, 64-61, for a Mid-American Conference victory Wednesday night.
The Huskies (8-8, 2-3 MAC) were home after playing 3 of their first four conference games on the road and built a seven-point lead in the first half. But Akron came back to take a brief lead, 39-37 with 14:11 left to play.
Akron cut the lead to three points, 59-56, on Aaron Jackson's 3-pointer with 2:51 left. Baker converted 3-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final 21 seconds to put the game away.
Kwan Cheatham Jr. finished with 13 points to lead Akron (12-6, 3-2), with Deji Ibitayo adding another 10.
The victory was Northern Illinois' 10th in 22 games all-time against Akron.
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