DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will play three of its next four games away from home, beginning on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 2, when the Huskies visit Chicago State. Game time against the Cougars is set for 2 p.m. 

Following a 75-62 setback at home against Milwaukee this past Wednesday, NIU will play its first true road game of the year when it makes the short trip to Chicago State for the first of two games in three days, as the Huskies will travel to Iowa State on Monday, Dec. 4. 

Last season, the Huskies won six road games, their best mark away from home since the 2005-06 season, when NIU also won six true road contests.

NIU (4-3) currently leads the Mid-American Conference in both field goal percentage (47.6 percent) and turnover margin (+4.0). Sophomore Eugene German (Gary, Ind./21st Century Charter) is averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game, fifth-most in the MAC. Junior Levi Bradley is NIU's second-leading scorer at 15.6 points per contest, Bradley is shooting 93.1 percent from the free-throw line, second-best in the conference and 40th nationally. 

Saturday's matchup with Chicago State is the first meeting between the two schools since an 80-58 Huskie victory on Dec. 2, 2015, Aaric Armstead led NIU with 14 points in that contest. The Huskies will be traveling to Chicago State for the first time since Jan. 6, 2010, when NIU claimed a 99-93 road victory over the Cougars. NIU holds a 23-0 advantage all-time in the series, which dates back to 1949. 

The Cougars bring a 2-8 overall record into Saturday's contest following a 95-69 setback on Wednesday (Nov. 29) at Marquette. Chicago State has played eight of its 10 games away from home. Two players are scoring in double figures for the Cougars, led by 15.8 points per game from Fred Sims Jr., Deionte Simmons is also scoring in double figures at 10.5 points per contest while leading Chicago State with 5.7 rebounds per game.

After Saturday's contest at Chicago State, NIU will face a quick turnaround as the Huskies travel to Ames, Iowa, on Monday, Dec. 4, to meet Iowa State. Game time against the Cyclones is slated for 8 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.