DEKALB, Ill. (AP)—James Hughes scored 24 points Sunday to lead Northern Illinois to a 76-69 victory over Eastern Michigan in the regular season finale for both teams.
After battling to a 32-32 tie at the half, Northern Illinois (7-22, 4-12 Mid-American) upped its offensive game, hitting 68 percent of its shots in the second half, while its defense held the Eagles to 40 percent shooting.
The Eagles got strong play from the bench, which scored 21 points to the Huskies 8. And Eastern Michigan took advantage of Northern Illinois turnovers, but were unable to prevent the Huskies from getting second-chance points.
Cody Yelder scored 14 points, Zach Pancratz scored 11, and Mike McKinney added 10 for the Huskies.
Eastern Michigan (12-18, 6-10) was led by Devon Dumes’ 17 points. Brandon Bowdry scored 14 points and Jarred Axon added 12.
The Mid-American Conference tournament gets under way Wednesday in Cleveland.
