Northern Illinois holds off Akron comeback 64-61

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) Travon Baker, playing in his 78th consecutive start, scored 21 points, including a pair of free throws with four seconds left to play, as Northern Illinois held off Akron 64-61 for a Mid-American Conference victory Wednesday night.

The Huskies (8-8, 2-3 MAC) were home after playing 3 of their first four conference games on the road and built a seven-point lead in the first half. But Akron came back to take a brief lead, 39-37 with 14:11 left to play.

Akron cut the lead to three points, 59-56, on Aaron Jackson's 3-pointer with 2:51 left. Baker converted 3 of 4 from the free-throw line in the final 21 seconds to put the game away.

Kwan Cheatham Jr. finished with 13 points to lead Akron (12-6, 3-2), with Deji Ibitayo adding another 10.

The victory was Northern Illinois' 10th in 22 games all-time against Akron.