NIU baseball is set for a showdown with the 2023 College World Series champion and No. 2-ranked Louisiana State University this week in Huskie sports.
BASEBALL
Thursday, Feb. 22 at Louisiana State University, 2 p.m.
Baton Rouge, La. / Alex Box Stadium
Watch: ESPN+ / Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Thursday, Feb. 22 vs. Northwestern State University, 6 p.m.
Baton Rouge, La. / Alex Box Stadium
Friday, Feb. 23 vs. Northwestern State University, 6 p.m.
Baton Rouge, La. / Alex Box Stadium
Saturday, Feb. 24 at Louisiana State University, 1 p.m.
Baton Rouge, La. / Alex Box Stadium
Watch: ESPN+ / Live Stats: StatBroadcast
NIU baseball (1-3) dropped its first series of the season at Abilene Christian University last weekend, but were able to avoid a sweep, winning the final game of the set. The Huskies open up this week with a doubleheader Thursday against 2023 national champion, No. 2 ranked Louisiana State University (3-0) and Northwestern State University (0-3). The Huskies will take on each team once more over the weekend to conclude their trip to Louisiana.
Senior catcher and outfielder Colin Summerhill led the way offensively for the Huskies in their first series of 2024 with two home runs and five RBIs. Junior pitcher Mason Ruh pitched 1.2 innings Sunday and earned the win.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Tuesday, Feb. 20: vs. Ball State University, 7 p.m.
DeKalb / Convocation Center
Watch: ESPN+ / Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
Saturday, Feb. 24: vs. Ohio University, 3:30 p.m.
DeKalb / Convocation Center
Watch: ESPN+ / Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
After suffering its worst loss of the season against Kent State University Feb. 17, NIU men’s basketball (9-16, 3-9 MAC) looks to get back on track with a pair of home games this week. The Huskies will be looking for revenge this week after losing to both Ball State University (12-13, 4-8 MAC) and Ohio University (13-12, 7-5 MAC) earlier in the season.
Sitting in 11th place in the MAC with just six games remaining, the Huskies are approaching must-win territory to have a chance of reaching the MAC Tournament. The Huskies trail Western Michigan University by two games for the final spot in the tournament.
GYMNASTICS
Sunday, Feb. 25: vs. Illinois State University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Alaska Anchorage, 2 p.m.
DeKalb / Convocation Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Live Stats: TBA
Fresh off back-to-back road losses to MAC rivals Kent State University and Eastern Michigan University, NIU gymnastics returns home to host Illinois State (8-3, 3-1 MIC), Wisconsin-Eau Claire (4-4, 2-4 WIAC) and Alaska Anchorage (5-4, 0-2 MPSF).
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Wednesday, Feb. 21: at University at Buffalo, 5 p.m.
Buffalo, N.Y. / The Alumni Arena
Watch: TBD / Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports
Saturday, Feb. 24: vs. Bowling Green State University, 1 p.m.
DeKalb / The Convocation Center
Watch: TBD / Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports
NIU women’s basketball (12-12, 5-7 MAC) looks to rise from sixth place in the conference, playing teams ranked fourth and fifth in the MAC in the University at Buffalo Bulls (14-9, 7-5 MAC) and the Bowling Green State University Falcons (12-11, 6-6 MAC).
Coming off a revenge win over Eastern Michigan University, the Huskies look to do more of the same as they face two teams they’ve lost to earlier in the season.
Redshirt junior guard Sidney McCrea carries the hot hand for the Huskies, putting up 16 points or more in three of the last four games. McCrea scored 18 points and recorded a career-high 6 assists Saturday.
MEN’S TENNIS
Saturday, Mar. 2: vs Southern University, 10 a.m.
DeKalb / Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House
Saturday, Mar. 2: vs University of Nebraska, 10 a.m.
DeKalb / Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House
NIU’s men’s tennis team (6-2) will be playing at home after wins against both Youngstown State University (3-4) and Xavier University (1-7). The Huskies look to continue their six match win streak at home against Southern University and the University of Nebraska this weekend at home.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Saturday, Feb. 24: at Valparaiso University, 2 p.m.
Valparaiso, Ind./ Valpo Tennis Courts
After wins against Western Illinois University (1-7), Bradley University (2-6) and Chicago State University (3-9), the Huskies’ only loss was to Northwestern University (7-3). NIU women’s tennis (5-4) looks to continue their success on the road against Valparaiso University.
WRESTLING
Friday, Feb. 23: vs. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 7 p.m.
DeKalb / Convocation Center
Returning to NIU sports after a week’s hiatus, the Huskies will conclude the regular season with a dual against SIUE. Closing decisively with three consecutive victories, NIU defeated two-time defending champion Lock Haven University and has an opportunity to clinch the MAC on Friday.
