RALSTON, Neb. -- CJ Carter scored 16 points, helping Nebraska-Omaha break open a close game in the second half and cruise past Northern Illinois 77-64 on Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Carter, who averaged 10.4 points per game as a freshman in 2011-12, made just three field goals but was 10 of 14 at the free-throw line. He added five assists and three steals for the Mavericks, who also got 13 points from Alex Welhouse and 12 each from Justin Simmons and John Karhoff.

Aksel Bolin had 11 points to lead the Huskies, who led 36-33 early in the second half before UNO went on a 15-2 run to take control. Northern Illinois pulled back within 48-47 before a 13-3 Mavericks run put the game away. The Huskies never got closer than seven points down after that.

Nebraska-Omaha also won the only other meeting between the schools, 77-72 last season.