MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) -Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman scored 17 points each and Central Michigan pulled away in the final minutes to defeat Northern Illinois 81-75 Saturday night.
Chris Kellerman had 12 points and Jalin Thomas 10 for the Chippewas (9-8, 4-1 Mid-American), who closed the game on a 13-6 run after trailing the Huskies 69-68 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. Harman made a pair of free throws to give Central Michigan the lead for good at 72-70 with 2:15 to play as the Chippewas tied Northern Illinois for the lead in the conference's West Division.
Central Michigan led 33-31 at halftime of the foul-plagued game. There were 54 fouls assessed, with four players fouling out, two for each team.
Xavier Silas scored 26 points for Northern Illinois (8-9, 4-1). Darion Anderson had 15 before fouling out with 3:40 remaining, and Sean Kowal had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
