AKRON, Ohio. (AP) — Nikola Cvetinovic scored 14 points and Akron stayed atop the Mid-American Conference East standings with an easy 75-51 victory over Northern Illinois Saturday night.
In winning their seventh straight game, the Zips improved to 18-7 overall, 10-1 in the MAC’s East division. Cvetnovic got double-digit help from fellow forwards Nick Harney and Demetrius Treadwell, who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Keith Gray and Abdel Nader led Northern Illinois with 13 points apiece, but it was hardly enough for the Huskies (3-20, 2-9), in last place in the MAC West.
Akron outshot Northern Illinois decisively from the floor, hitting 25 of 47 shots (53.2 percent) while the Huskies were just 18 for 54 (33.3 percent).
The Zips also had an edge at the foul line. They made 21 of 29 free throws (72.4 percent). Northern Illinois made 12 of 17 (70.6 percent). Akron outscored NIU 44-27 in the second half.
