DeKALB – NIU men’s basketball (3-8) fell to the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-4) on Saturday in a 90-63 rout in the Huskies’ final game of an eight-game road trip.

Junior guard Keshawn Williams and sophomore guard Zarique Nutter were the only Huskies to score in double digits for the game. Williams finished with 16 points and Nutter had 11.

VCU started this game with an eight point advantage in the first six minutes of action and never looked back. The Rams shot 16-of-27 from the field in the first 20 minutes as well as 6-of-10 from three-point range. The Rams also forced 13 turnovers from the Huskies’ offense.

The Huskies were able to slow VCU’s offensive attack in the second half, as the Rams shot 13-of-28 from the field and only 1-of-6 from three-point range. VCU shot 17 free throws in the second half, converting on 14 attempts.

“These last two games against Gonzaga and VCU are two tough games,” said NIU head coach Rashon Burno. “But I wanted more effort, I wanted more execution. This is accountability on us as a staff and as a program. Right now, we are not a good ballclub because we can’t seem to execute for long stretches at a time. We have a couple of times, but we have to get better and perform better, especially under the big lights.”

Williams led the Huskies in scoring and steals. His final statline included 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. This is Williams’ sixth consecutive game where he has led NIU in points.

Nutter was the Huskies’ next leading scorer and led the team in rebounds for the game. Nutter’s statline included 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Sophomore guard David Coit was third in scoring for the Huskies, as his final statline included seven points and three rebounds.

The Huskies will return home for the first time since Nov. 14 when they take on the University at Albany at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the NIU Convocation Center.