DeKALB – The “second-half Huskies” strike again!

Despite a night of putback dunks and streaky shooting from the Huskies, NIU men’s basketball (6-12, 0-6 MAC) was outscored in the second half for the 11th time this season in an 89-73 loss to the University of Toledo (12-7, 6-1 MAC).

NIU’s loss adds to its eight-game losing streak and winless record in conference play.

PROMISING FIRST

Following a thunderous putback slam from sophomore forward Xavier Amos, the Huskies headed into halftime in a 38-38 tie with the Rockets.

Junior guards Zarique Nutter, David Coit and Amos combined for 31 points and the Huskies shot 48% from the field in the first half. 

NIU looked poised for a strong second half, until the final 20 minutes were underway. 

DREADFUL SECOND

Toledo began the closing frame on a 13-0 run, led by redshirt freshman forward Javan Simmons and junior guard Ra’Heim Moss. NIU finally ended the run after a 3-minute, 33-second scoring drought.

The Rockets’ run gave way for Toledo’s 51-point half versus NIU’s 35-point half. The blowout marks the Huskies’ eighth loss this season in which they were outscored by 10 or more points in the second half.

“We play hard in the first half then we get complacent in the second half,” Amos said. “You know, we gave up stops. I gave up an offensive rebound on the free throw. Just little things that keep piling up.”

Coit pointed to lackluster effort as the main contributor to the loss.

“We’re not playing hard,” a visibly weary Coit said. “It’s really that simple. I think that we got to play for all 40 minutes. We don’t do that. You can talk about offense, defense, but it comes down to playing harder. We got to play harder, obviously play smarter.”

Coit, who played 38 minutes in Tuesday’s contest, finished the game with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno voiced his frustrations with the second-half focus of his team.

“It’s frustrating to prepare and put a lot of time and energy in and then give it away in the second half because we’re not up to par in regards to focus,” Burno said. “Until losing becomes something that is unbearable, right? You’re going to have to go through this process.”

The Huskies allowed four out of the five Rocket starters to post double-digit performances. Moss, Simmons and junior guard Tyler Cochran combined for 57 points in Toledo’s victory.

HELP WANTED

NIU’s starters played a combined 140 minutes. Freshman guard Will Lovings-Watts and sophomore guard Quaran McPherson were both out due to injury for Tuesday’s game despite both playing in the Huskies’ last contest.

“Day-to-day,” Burno said when asked about the severity of the guards’ injuries. “Hopefully, by tomorrow, they’ll get some MRI’s and I’ll get some solutions. But right now, it’s a whole new pattern. I don’t know what the status is.”

UP NEXT

The Huskies will face Ball State University next at 1 p.m. Saturday in Muncie, Indiana. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and radio broadcasted on The Varsity Network. Live stats will be accessible via SIDEARM Stats.