Armstead has 21, N Illinois turns back Ill-Chicago 92-81
DEKALB, Ill. -- Aaric Armstead scored 21 points and Northern Illinois made 20 of 24 free throws to defeat Illinois-Chicago 92-81 on Saturday.
Eugene German added 17 points, Marin Maric 16 and Jaylen Key 12 for the Huskies (4-3), who never trailed.
Northern Illinois didn't hit a 3 in the first half, which ended with the Huskies up 42-38, but back-to-back treys from Laytwan Porter and Maric made it 48-40. The Huskies steadily built the lead, which reached 15 with under 3 minutes to play.
Sophomore Dikembe Dixson went 14 of 20 from the line and hit 3 3-pointers to lead the Flames (3-3) with 31 points- his third 30-point game this season and second in the NIU Thanksgiving Classic. Marcus Ottey had 16 points, making all seven of his free throws as UIC went 29 of 37 from the line.
