ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -Harouna Mutombo scored 22 points and Western Carolina made just enough free throws to defeat Northern Illinois 71-67 Saturday for fourth place in the Great Alaska Shootout.
The Catamounts (3-2) hit just 13 of 25 free throws, nearly allowing Northern Illinois (3-4) to catch up at the end.
Mutombo hit a layup and a 3-pointer to spark a 16-1 first-half run, and Western led 34-27 at halftime. Northern Illinois used a 16-2 run to start the second half, going on top 43-36, but Western Carolina regained the lead at 61-60 on a two free throws by Jake Robinson.
The Huskies' Tyler Storm hit a desperation 3 with 11 seconds remaining to close to 68-66, but Robinson made three of four free throws for the final margin.
Darion Anderson led Northern Illinois with 15 points.
