Final Score: Northern Illinois 67, Kent State 65

DeKalb, IL (Sports Network) - The Northern Illinois Huskies bounced back from their 25-point performance against Eastern Michigan last Saturday to earn a 67-65 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes in a Mid-American Conference clash at the Convocation Center.

Abdel Nader was the only player for the Huskies (5-14, 3-4 MAC) to score in double-figures, scoring 26 points while adding 11 rebounds. Daveon Balls dished out a game-high seven assists for NIU, which had lost four of its previous five games.

Darren Goodson recorded a double-double for the Golden Flashes (11-10, 2-5), with 18 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Kris Brewer was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, adding 14 points in the fourth consecutive loss for Kent State.

NIU led 34-27 at the break after shooting 12-of-25 (.480) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Golden Flashes were 0-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half

Kent State was able to make 6-of-14 3-point attempts in the second half and outscored NIU 38-33 in the frame, but Nader hit a jumper with five seconds left on the clock to put the Huskies up by two. Randal Holt's shot at the buzzer did not fall for the Golden Flashes.

Kent State was just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc, while the Huskies made good on 7-of-13 attempts from long range.