DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will play its second-straight home game on Tuesday, February 23, when the Huskies welcome Buffalo to the NIU Convocation Center. Tipoff between the Huskies and Bulls is slated for 4 p.m. and will be available on ESPN3.  

NIU is coming off a 69-64 setback against Miami last time out (Feb. 20) in the first home game for the Huskies in more than a month. Junior Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich./Novi) scored a career-high 22 points against the RedHawks, including a career-best five triples. 

Over the last seven games, NIU is shooting 40.2 percent as a team from three-point range. Junior Zool Kueth (Gallatin, Tenn./Pratt CC) leads the way during that stretch shooting 56.3 percent (18-of-32) while Hankerson has made a team-best 19 triples in that time, shooting 39.6 percent (19-of-48). 

In league play, Kueth is tied for first in the MAC shooting an even 50 percent (18-of-36) from three-point range and he is ranked fifth in field goal percentage in conference games, shooting 56.4 percent (31-of-55). 

The Bulls come to DeKalb with a 9-7 overall record, 7-5 in conference play, after dropping an 80-70 decision at home against Toledo last Friday (Feb. 19). Buffalo has four players scoring in double figures, led by 18.0 points per game from Jeenathan Williams. Jayvon Graves adds 14.8 points per contest, Josh Mballa is averaging a double-double with 14.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while Ronaldo Segu chips in 13.6 points per game. As a team, the Bulls lead the MAC in scoring at 81.4 points per game.

Close games have been a theme in recent matchups between NIU and Buffalo as the last three contests, all won by the Huskies, have been decided by a total of five points. 

Following Tuesday's game, NIU will head on the road on Saturday, February 27, when the Huskies travel to Eastern Michigan. Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 12 p.m. on ESPN3.