Final: Central Michigan 81, Northern Illinois 75

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Junior guard Xavier Silas poured in a game-high 26 points and junior center Sean Kowal posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but the Northern Illinois men's basketball team (8-9, 4-1 MAC) had its six-game winning streak broken by host Central Michigan (9-8, 4-1) at Rose Arena Saturday night, 81-75. There were a combined 27 ties and lead changes in the game.