DEKALB, Ill. (Interstat) — Makhai Valentine scored 27 points to lift Northern Illinois to a 70-68 men’s basketball victory over Massachusetts on Saturday at Convocation Center.

The Huskies (6-11) led 40-33 at halftime but were outscored 35-30 after the break, holding on for the Mid-American Conference win before 1,535 fans. Massachusetts (11-8) erased a 13-point second-half deficit to tie the game late. Leonardo Bettiol led the Minutemen with 25 points.

Northern Illinois secured the win at the free-throw line in the final 30 seconds. Both teams shot 21 for 30 on free throws. Massachusetts committed 18 turnovers, leading to a 68-70 final score.