NIU bounces back from awful loss to top Kent State 67-65

DEKALB—Abdel Nader’s go-ahead jumper with 2.2 seconds left sealed the deal for Northern Illinois which held off Kent State 67-65 on Wednesday night,and this after NIU’s embarressing loss at Eastern Michigan last weekend in which they scored just 25 points-4 in the first half..Northern Illinois (5-14, 3-4 MAC) led 63-54 with 2:28 remaining in the game but the Golden Flashes used an 11-2 run capped off by Devareaux Manley’s 3-pointer to tie it at 65 with 31 seconds left.After Nader’s jumper, Kent State’s Randal Holt got a look from beyond the arc to win it but just missed as the clock expired.The Golden Flashes never led in the contest.Nader scored 26 points including four 3-pointers and was 8 for 11 from the free-throw line. He led the Huskies with 11 rebounds.Darren Goodson scored 18 points and pulled 10 rebounds for Kent State (11-10, 2-5). Kris Brewer had 14 points and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the line.