DEKALB, Ill. — Tavari Johnson led the way with 21 points as Akron triumphed over Northern Illinois with a score of 80-70 on Tuesday night, marking their eighth consecutive victory.

Johnson’s performance included an efficient shooting display, as he connected on seven of eleven attempts from the floor, including two of four from beyond the arc. He also went perfect from the charity stripe, hitting all five free-throw attempts. Contributing significantly, Nate Johnson added 19 points to the Zips’ tally, shooting six of twelve from the field and securing six rebounds alongside three steals. Isaiah Gray was also a key player, scoring twelve points on four of eight shooting, with two of five from three-point range.

For the Huskies, Quentin Jones was the standout scorer, finishing the game with 25 points along with six rebounds and two steals. James Dent Jr. also had a remarkable performance, contributing 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Kailon Nicholls rounded out the Huskies’ efforts with twelve points and four steals.

The contest was closely contested, with Akron holding a narrow lead at halftime, 37-33. Gray emerged as the leading scorer for Akron during the first half with nine points. The Zips extended their lead in the second half with a swift 7-0 run, which helped them get ahead 47-40 with 16:42 remaining. Tavari Johnson showcased his skills, scoring 15 of his points in the second half.

Looking ahead, Akron will face Kent State in a road game on Friday, while Northern Illinois will travel to Toledo for their next matchup on Saturday.