DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team returns from its Holiday break on Tuesday, Dec. 30, when the Huskies host Buffalo. Tip-off against the Bulls is slated for 7 p.m. at the NIU Convocation Center and tickets are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. The contest will also be available on ESPN+ and WDKB 94-9 FM.

NIU (5-7, 1-0 MAC) opened conference play with a dramatic, come from behind 74-73 victory over Central Michigan on Dec. 20. Taj Walters (Bronx, N.Y./Moravian Prep) tip-in at the buzzer helped the Huskies overcome a 20-point second half deficit to down the Chippewas. The 20-point comeback was the largest by the Huskies since Nov. 30, 2014, when the Huskies overcame a 21-point deficit to defeat Maine, 61-56.

Dylan Ducommun (Geneva, Switzerland) scored a team-high 18 points for NIU. Gustav Winther (Roskilde, Denmark) added his second double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Walters tied his career-high with 13 points while Makhai Valentine (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) added 10 points.

Valentine has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games and is averaging 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over that stretch.

NIU is looking for its first 2-0 start to league play since the 2018-19 season. 

Buffalo comes to NIU with an 11-2 overall record, 1-0 in league play, after opening conference action with an 88-71 win at Western Michigan (Dec. 20) and following that with a 92-63 victory over Penn State-Behrend (Dec. 22). The Bulls have three players scoring in double figures, led by Daniel Freitag at 19.5 points per contest. Buffalo is ranked second in the MAC in three-point shooting at 38.9 percent. The Bulls are also tied for second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 70.7 points per game. 

The Bulls lead the all-time series against NIU, 26-18, and the all-time series in DeKalb is tied, 10-10. Buffalo won the only meeting last season, 73-67, in DeKalb (Feb. 11, 2025).

Following Tuesday's contest, NIU will head on the road for the first time in conference play as the Huskies travel to Kent State on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off against the Golden Flashes is slated for 12 p.m. CT.