Baker, Maric carry Northern Illinois past Ohio, 80-69

Jan 6, 2017, 11:10 pm

DEKALB, Ill. -- Travon Baker and Marin Maric combined to score 47 points to lead Northern Illinois to an 80-69 win over Ohio in a Mid-American Conference opener Wednesday night.

Laytwan Porter converted two free throws and Maric hit the second of two to send the Huskies into intermission with a 37-35 advantage. Maric scored six straight with under eight minutes left in the game to put Northern Illinois up 61-54 and Baker scored 13 straight points, including 8 of 9 from the free throw line, in the final 2:13 to seal the victory.

Baker finished with 25 points and Maric added 22 and grabbed 14 rebounds, five off the offensive glass, for Northern Illinois (12-2, 1-0). Aaric Armstead added 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Jaaron Simmons scored 19 points and Kenny Kaminski and Treg Setty each added 15 to lead Ohio (9-4, 0-1).