DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Javon McCrea’s 20 points and big second half Saturday helped Buffalo hold off a surging Northern Illinois for a 75-67 win.
McCrea scored 13 points in the second half, including a dunk that broke a 48-48 tie to give Buffalo (10-6, 4-2 Mid-American) a lead they never relinquished.
Joshua Freelove scored 13 points and Will Regan added 12 for Buffalo.
Northern Illinois jumped to a 9-2 lead, but Buffalo stayed close and went up 21-19 on a 3-pointer by Regan, then pulled ahead for a 34-29 halftime edge.
The Huskies pulled to within two at 13:56 in the second on a layup by Aksel Bolin, then tied it at 48 on a free throw by Aaron Armstead, but Buffalo pulled away on McCrea’s dunk and a layup and 3-pointer by Shannon Evans.
Bolin led the Huskies (7-11, 1-5) with 17, Darrell Bowie had 14 and Travon Baker 12.
