DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will take on Ball State on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 3:30 p.m. in the second game of a Huskie basketball doubleheader at the NIU Convocation Center. Prior to the men's game, the NIU women's basketball team will face Ball State at 1 p.m. Tickets are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at (815) 753-PACK (7225). Both games will also be available on ESPN+ and WDKB 94-9 FM.

NIU will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Huskie Athletics at Saturday's doubleheader with 125th anniversary garden flags given away at the marketing table while supplies last. Saturday's game is also a $5 Kids Combo Day, the kids combo includes a hot dog, a bag of chips and a small soft drink or water for just $5 and is available for kids ages 13 and under.

The Huskies are coming off a narrow, two-point setback at Western Michigan on Tuesday (Jan. 21). James Dent Jr. (Springfield, Ill./Springfield Southeast) scored a team-high 18 points. Dent is currently ranked in the top-20 in the Mid-American Conference in scoring (19th at 12.8 points per game), rebounding (18th at 5.1 rebounds per game) and assists (15th at 2.9 assists per game). 

Quentin Jones (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) ranks third in the MAC in scoring at 15.9 points per game. Jones has scored in double figures a team-high 15 times, including six games of 20-plus points. In the last four games, Jones is averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 53.8 percent (28-of-52) from the field and 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from three.   

As a team, NIU ranks third in the MAC averaging 9.06 triples per contest and in league play, NIU is tied for second in the MAC, making 9.67 threes per game. Quaran McPherson (South Jamaica Queens, N.Y./Link Year Prep) ranks eighth in the MAC in three-point percentage at 40.8 percent.

Ball State comes to DeKalb with a 9-9 overall record, 3-3 in league play, after winning at Central Michigan on Tuesday, 82-80. The Cardinals lead the MAC in both free throws made and free throws attempted. Ball State is averaging 18.5 free throws made per game, which ranks 10th nationally, and are shooting 26.4 free throws per game, seventh-best in the country.

The Cardinals have won four-straight against the Huskies, sweeping the season series in each of the last two seasons. 

Following Saturday's game, NIU will be home again on Tuesday night, Jan. 28, when the Huskies host Akron.