Junior guard Steve McNees scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the second half of Akron's win at Central Michigan.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — Steve McNees scored 16 points, making everything he tried from the field and the line, and Akron finished on a 12-3 run to overtake Central Michigan 56-52 on [...]]]> Associated Press

Junior guard Steve McNees scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the second half of Akron's win at Central Michigan.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — Steve McNees scored 16 points, making everything he tried from the field and the line, and Akron finished on a 12-3 run to overtake Central Michigan 56-52 on Tuesday night.

McNees made all four shots — each a 3-pointer — and all four free throws to lead the Zips (18-7, 8-3 Mid-American), who won for the fifth time in six games. Jimmy Conyers and Darryl Roberts added 11 points apiece.

Jordan Bitzer scored 20 points and Robbie Harman 13 for the Chippewas (11-11, 6-4). Bitzer became the 26th player in school history with 1,000 points; he has 1,018.

Bitzer’s 3-pointer started a 10-0 spurt that gave Central Michigan a 41-30 lead with 14:05 to play. His basket put the Chippewas up 51-46 with 2:21 left, but the Zips closed with their 12-3 rush.

Akron held its 10th opponent to 59 or fewer points and is 10-0 in those games.

AKRON, Ohio — Darryl Roberts had 18 points and eight rebounds and Akron had its highest-scoring game of the season to defeat Northern Illinois 90-76 on Wednesday night.

Chris McKnight added 16 points and five assists and Anthony Hitchens had 15 points for the Zips (16-7, 6-3 Mid-American Conference), who have won three of [...]]]> Associated Press

AKRON, Ohio — Darryl Roberts had 18 points and eight rebounds and Akron had its highest-scoring game of the season to defeat Northern Illinois 90-76 on Wednesday night.

Chris McKnight added 16 points and five assists and Anthony Hitchens had 15 points for the Zips (16-7, 6-3 Mid-American Conference), who have won three of their last four games.

The Huskies (8-13, 4-5), who have lost five straight, stayed close the first 15 minutes, trailing 26-21 with 5:09 to go before halftime. Akron then used an 18-6 run to break the game open.

The Zips’ greatest lead was 86-59 with 5:02 left, then Northern Illinois closed out the game with a 17-4 run.

Each team made 18 free throws, but the Zips were 8-for-18 from long range while the Huskies were 4-for-16 from beyond the arc.

Xavier Silas led Northern Illinois with 15 points. Darion Anderson, Tony Nixon and Sean Kowal had 12 each.