DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men’s basketball team is back home in the NIU Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 3, when the Huskies host Eastern Michigan. Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 3 p.m.
NIU comes into Saturday’s contest off a double overtime setback at Central Michigan. Xavier Amos netted a game-high 25 points against the Chippewas while Zarique Nutter recorded a new career-high with 23 points while playing all 50 minutes in the contest.
In the four games since returning from injury, Nutter is averaging 17.3 points per game.
David Coit added 15 points against CMU as he has scored in double figures in all 20 games this season. Zion Russell made his third start of the season against the Chippewas and tied career highs for rebounds (5) and assists (3) while chipping in eight points.
NIU is currently ranks 20th in the nation in blocks per game, averaging 5.2 as a team, with Yanic Konan Niederhauser leading the way with 2.19 blocks per contest, which leads the Mid-American Conference and ranks 24th in the country.
The Eagles come to DeKalb with a 9-12 overall record, including a 2-7 mark in league play. Eastern Michigan fell to Akron, 77-46, last time out (Jan. 30). Tyson Acuff leads the Eagles, ranks second in the conference and 12th in the nation, in scoring at 21.2 points per game. Orlando Lovejoy scores just under double figures at 9.6 points per contest.
NIU has won three consecutive home games against Eastern Michigan, dating back to 2020, and six of the last seven against the Eagles in DeKalb, dating back to 2016.
Following Saturday’s game, NIU returns to the road for the next two games, beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Miami. The Huskies will then travel to Mobile, Ala., to face South Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 10, in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge.
Photo Credit NIU
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