DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team returns home for the first time in 2020 as it hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon, January 11, at 3 p.m. The contest is part of a doubleheader with the NIU women's basketball team welcoming Toledo to the NIU Convocation Center at 1 p.m.

Saturday is Pup Club Day, with free pizza available to all Pup Club members, and marks the debut of the Victor E. Pub on the west end of the concourse. The Victor E. Pub, which is open to all fans, will feature comfortable seats and high-top tables to watch the action while enjoying $2 drink specials, a full-service bar featuring mixed drinks and a unique drink offering for each game.

Fans are encouraged to wear black to Saturday's doubleheader as both the NIU men's and women's teams will be hosting a Black-Out. Tickets for Saturday's contest, and all remaining home games, including flex passes, are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).

NIU returns home with an 8-7 overall mark, 1-1 in the MAC, after playing eight of its last 10 games on the road, including a heartbreaking, 68-67 setback last time out at Central Michigan. Senior Eugene German (Gary, Ind./21st Century Charter) scored a team-high 20 points against the Chippewas. On Thursday (Jan. 9), German was named to the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award Mid-Season Watch List. The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the nation's top Division I mid-major player. The leading scorer in the MAC, and 21st in the nation, German is averaging 20.7 points per game.

Senior Lacey James scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds at Central Michigan. In conference play, James is averaging a double-double with 16.0 points, tied for 10th-best in the MAC, and 10.0 rebounds per game, tied for third best in the conference.

The Eagles bring a 10-5 overall record to DeKalb, including a 0-2 mark in league play after falling to Akron (69-45) and Ohio (74-68) in their first two league games. Ty Groce leads Eastern Michigan in scoring at 12.2 points per game, he is the only Eagle in double figures, but three additional players are averaging more than nine points per game: Yeikson Montero (9.9), Noah Morgan (9.8) and Boubacar Toure (9.4).

Following Saturday's game, NIU will be home again on Tuesday, January 14, when the Huskies host Akron at 7 p.m. for Welcome Back Students Night.