ATHENS – Dwight Wilson grabbed his 1,000th career rebound and had a double-double of 24 points and 10 boards to lead Ohio to its sixth straight victory, 77-68, over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night at The Convo.

Jaylin Hunter added 16 points and seven assists, and Elmore James finished in double figures with 10 points for the Bobcats (17-11, 9-6 Mid-American Conference).

Northern Illinois (11-17, 7-8 MAC) led 59-56 with less than seven minutes remaining, but Ohio closed strong, starting with a Miles Brown three-point play that tied the score. Ben Roderick gave the Bobcats the lead for good with a 3-pointer.

Harvin Ibarguen split two free throws that cut Northern Illinois’ lead to 66-64 with 2:35 remaining. Ohio put the game away with a 10-0 run, starting with a Wilson layup and then a James 3-pointer. Hunter added a layup after a steal, DeVon Baker made a free throw, and Hunter scored one more fast break layup to make it 76-64.

Darweshi Hunter paced the balanced Huskies with 17 points. All five starters reached double figures, including Anthony Crump, who had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kaleb Thornton was one assist shy of the same, finishing with 10 points and nine assists.

The Bobcats built a 28-18 lead midway through the first half on a fastbreak 3-pointer from Hunter, but the Huskies rallied to take the lead. A Miles Brown 3-pointer tied the score at 37 at halftime.

Neither team led by more than three in the second half until Ohio’s late run.

Northern Illinois host 46.8% overall despite making just 1 of 19 3-pointers. Ohio finished at 42.6% including a 9-of-28 performance from long range.

Ohio faces rival Miami at 1 p.m. Saturday at Millett Hall in Oxford.