AKRON, Ohio -- Demetrius Treadwell scored 25 points, on 9-of-12 shooting, and pulled down 10 rebounds as Akron took over sole possession of first place of the Mid-American Conference's East Division with a 62-54 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday night.

Akron (17-8, 9-3 Mid-American) came into the game tied with Buffalo (14-8, 8-4), who lost to Ohio, 73-70, earlier in the day.

Jordan Threloff made four straight free throw to pull Northern Illinois (11-13, 5-7) within four with about 7 1/2 minutes left before the Zips used a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 55-45 with 3:18 to play.

NIU's Darrell Bowie hit 1 of 2 from the stripe to make it 60-54 with 69 seconds left, but the Huskies wouldn't score again.

Threloff paced Northern Illinois, which shot 35 percent and made just 12 of 21 free throws, with 14 points. Aaric Armstead added 13 and Travon Baker 10.