DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team begins the final homestand of the season on Saturday, March 1, as the Huskies welcome Western Michigan to the NIU Convocation Center. The contest is scheduled to tip at 3:30 p.m. following the conclusion the first NIU women's basketball game against Bowling Green that begins at 1 p.m. Both games will be available on ESPN+ and WDKB 94-9 FM.
Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at (815) 753-PACK.
Quentin Jones (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) continues to lead the Mid-American Conference in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game. Jones also ranks sixth in the league in assists with 3.6 per contest, tied for sixth with 1.0 blocks per game and tied for 14th with 1.21 steals per game.
Last time out against Miami, NIU shot 81.8 percent (9-of-11) from the free-throw line. Over the last seven contests, the Huskies are shooting 78.8 percent (93-of-118) from the charity stripe.
For the year, NIU has made a shoot record 258 three-point field goals, bettering the previous mark of 238 set in 2015-16. NIU ranks third in the MAC averaging 9.21 triples per contest, which is 54th nationally.
James Dent Jr. (Springfield, Ill./Springfield Southeast) is one of just two players in the MAC to rank in the top-20 in the conference in scoring, rebounding and assists, along with Ball State's Jermahri Hill. Dent is tied for 16th in the MAC in scoring (13.6 ppg), ranked 16th in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and 14th in assists (2.9 apg).
The Broncos come to DeKalb with a 10-18 overall record, 7-8 in league play, following an 82-73 victory over Ohio on Tuesday. Western Michigan is currently in a three-way tie for sixth in the MAC. Western Michigan ranks 42nd nationally in rebounding at 38.3 boards per game and 16th in offensive rebounding averaging 13.6 per contest.
NIU has won four of the last five meetings against Western Michigan in DeKalb, dating back to a 75-67 victory on Feb. 17, 2018.
Following Saturday's contest, the Huskies will host Bowling Green on Tuesday, March 4, in the final home game of the season. Tipoff against the Falcons is scheduled for 6 p.m.
