DEKALB, Ill. -- Aaric Armstead scored 21 points, including the game-winning free throws with 1.7 seconds left, and Northern Illinois edged Akron 80-79 on Saturday.
Isaiah Johnson's two free throws with 15 seconds left put the Zips ahead but they couldn't corral the rebound when Travon Baker missed a 3-point attempt with seven seconds left.
Josh Williams hit a 3-pointer and the Zips made 3 of 4 free throws to take a 77-75 lead with just under a minute left. Armstread put the Huskies back on top with a 3-point play with 37 seconds remaining.