DeKALB, Ill. – Ohio built a lead and held off a few different pushes from Northern Illinois to win 74-66 and clinch a spot in the Mid-American Conference tournament Saturday at The Convocation Center.

Javan Simmons led the way with 23 points, on 9-of-10 shooting, and seven rebounds, while Jackson Paveletzke added 14 points and six assists. Aidan Hadaway had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bobcats (13-11, 9-6 MAC).

Five different players scored in double figures for the Huskies (9-17, 4-10 MAC). Makhai Valentine led the way with 15 points.

Trailing 9-8, Ohio scored eight straight points to take the lead for good. After Northern Illinois cut it to five, the Bobcats scored another eight in a row to go ahead 30-17 with 5:38 left in the first half. A Simmons layup pushed the advantage to 35-20 before Ohio eventually took a 37-25 lead into the locker room.

The Huskies immediately scored the first eight points of the second half to cut their deficit to four points. Paveletzke answered with a 3-pointer, and a short time later, an Ajay Sheldon trey made it 46-34.

Midway through the second half, Northern Illinois got to within four again on a AJ Walters layup that put the score at 53-49. Simmons responded with a layup that started a 7-0 run to make it a double-digit lead again.

Seven straight for the Huskies got them to within four one more time, trailing 60-56 with 6:46 remaining. Haidaway hit a jumper and JJ Kelly a free throw before a Valentine 3-pointer. But Ohio scored eight straight after that to finally put away Northern Illinois.

Sheldon went 3 of 6 on 3-pointers, bringing his season percentage up to 38.3%. It was his sixth straight game to make at least two, and he is shooting 51.4% in that span.

Gianni Cobb and Dylan Ducommun both had 13 points for the Huskies. Taj Walters finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Starter Hassan Washington fouled out in only nine minutes on the court.

Northern Illinois shot 50% to Ohio’s 48.1%, but the Bobcats were 16 of 24 at the foul line while the Huskies were 6 of 12. They also had twice as many turnovers 14-7.

Ohio has its second midweek bye in MAC play and hosts Toledo at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Convo.