McKay sparks Central Michigan past Northern Illinois 80-72

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) - Kevin McKay came off the bench to score a career-high 33 points and hit several big shots down the stretch to help Central Michigan pull away late for an 80-72 victory over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night.

McKay hit 14 of 20 shots from the floor and added seven rebounds and three assists for the Chippewas (16-10, 5-8 Mid-American Conference). Shawn Roundtree hit 9 of 9 from the free-throw line and scored 16, while Cecil Williams contributed 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Roundtree hit two free throws with 4:21 left to play to knot the score at 69. McKay followed with a 3-point play to give Central Michigan a 72-69 lead. Noah McCarty's layup cut the Huskies' deficit to 74-72 with 1:51 to go, but McKay had a basket and a tip-in to push the Chippewas' lead to 78-72. Roundtree hit two free throws with 19 seconds left to seal it.

Eugene German paced the Huskies (11-15, 4-9) with 23 points and seven boards, while Lacey James scored 13.