NIU holds off Kent State 67-65
DEKALB — Abdel Nader’s go-ahead jumper with 5 seconds left sealed the deal for Northern Illinois, who held off Kent State 67-65 on Wednesday night.
Northern Illinois (5-14, 3-4 MAC) led 63-54 with 2:28 remaining in the game, but the Golden Flashes used an 11-2 run capped off by Devareaux Manley’s 3-pointer to tie it at 65 with 31 seconds left.
After Nader’s jumper, Kent State’s Randal Holt got a look from beyond the arc to win it but just missed as the clock expired.
The Golden Flashes never led in the contest.
Nader scored 26 points including four 3-pointers and was 8 for 11 from the free-throw line. He led the Huskies with 11 rebounds.
Darren Goodson scored 18 points and pulled 10 rebounds for Kent State (11-10, 2-5). Kris Brewer had 14 points and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the line.