Nebraska-Omaha beats Northern Illinois 77-72

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) -- Mitch Albers had 26 points, including five free throws in the final 46 seconds, and Nebraska-Omaha got its first win on the road Saturday, beating Northern Illinois 77-72 in the first-ever meeting between the schools.

Albers was 7 of 11 from the field, including 5 of 8 on 3-pointers. John Karhoff added 21 points and Caleb Steffensmeier scored 11 for the Mavericks (3-5), who improved to 1-4 away from home. Alex Welhouse pulled down 12 rebounds.

Tim Toler led the Huskies (0-7) with 25 points, including four 3-pointers, and eight rebounds. Marquavese Ford scored 16 points.

Northern Illinois trailed for most of the second half, but pulled within 70-67 on a Toler layup with 2:49 to play. But the Huskies didn't score again until Antone Christian made a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left. By then, free throws by Albers and Steffensmeier had essentially sealed the game for the Mavericks.

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