YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Jalen Ross’ 3-pointer with 32 seconds left gave Eastern Michigan a 45-44 victory over Northern Illinois in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference tournament Monday night.
Da’Shonte Riley had 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots for the seventh-seeded Eagles (15-17), who next play Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday in Cleveland. Glenn Bryant had 10 points and eight rebounds for Eastern Michigan.
Northern Illinois (5-25) trailed 42-35 after Ross scored for the Eagles with 5 minutes to go. J.J. Cravatta hit a 3-pointer for the Huskies, Aksel Bolin’s three-point play got them within a point and Travon Baker’s 3-pointer put NIU ahead 44-42 with 2:08 left. Ross got the rebound off a missed 3 try and made his shot for the Eagles, and the Huskies had three tries at the end but couldn’t score.
Cravatta and Bolin led Northern Illinois with nine points apiece.
