Cleveland, OH -- (Sports Network) - Giordan Watson scored 20 points, and sixth- seeded Central Michigan downed No. 11 seed Northern Illinois, 83-71, in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Robbie Harman scored 16 points, and Marko Spica added 13 points for the Chippewas (14-16), who advance to face No. 3 seed Akron on Thursday. Chris Kellermann and Jordan Bitzer each scored 11 points for Central Michigan.

Darion Anderson scored 22 points and raked in seven rebounds for the Huskies (6-22), who dropped five straight to close the season. Shaun Logan had 12 points and five rebounds, and Sean Smith added 12 points for Northern Illinois.

Central Michigan opened the second half with eight straight points, pushing their lead to 45-30 after a Spica jumper with under 17 minutes left in the second half.

Northern Illinois was able to trim the lead to eight points later in the half, but the Chippewas ripped off a 12-0 run that put the game away. Harman drilled two threes on the run, the second capping the push and giving Central Michigan a 62-42 lead with about 10 and a half minutes left.