Kent State ends NIU's season in MAC tourney

Posted March 10, 2009 11:00 pm

Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Al Fisher scored 25 points, including 2 key baskets in the final minutes, as Kent State rallied to beat Northern Illinois, 64-61 in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament Tuesday.

Kent State (19-13) trailed for most of the second period and was behind 58-52 with 5:55 left. But Julian Sullinger made a layup, Brandon Parks scored twice and Sullinger followed with two free throws to put the Golden Flashes in front with 2:45 remaining.

Fisher, the only Kent State player in double digits, followed with two jumpers to preserve the lead.

Jake Anderson scored 19 points and Mike DiNunno added 13 for Northern Illinois (10-20).

Kent State's Chris Singletary served a one-game suspension for punching an Akron player in Sunday's regular-season finale. The team's second-leading scorer is expected to return for Thursday's quarterfinal against Buffalo.

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