Wilson also had . . .
A 9-2 NIU run pulled the Huskies within three at 72-69 with 2:31 remaining. After an OU timeout, Mark Sears hit a triple. It was the Bobcats' last field goal, but NIU could get no closer than three and Darius Beane's 3-point try at the buzzer was off the mark.
All five Ohio starters reached double figures. Joining Wilson III were Ben Roderick (13), Ben Vander Plas (11), Lunden McDay (11) and Mark Sears (10). The Bobcats connected on 49.1 percent (28/57) from the field and 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) on threes. Twelve of 17 free throws found their mark.
Zool Kueth hit six-of-nine trey attempts while tallying 22 points to pace the Huskies.
Darius Beane had 16, Anthony Crump 13 and Trendon Hankerson 12.
Tuesday was NIU's first outing since head coach Mark Montgomery was fired Sunday after 10 years at the helm. The Huskies are now 1-8 overall (0-4 MAC). Ohio, meanwhile, won its second straight to even its MAC record at 2-2. The Bobcats are 6-4 through 10 games.