DeKALB – Led by a 19-0 run spanning between halves, NIU men’s basketball (2-1) soared past the Monmouth University Hawks (0-3) Tuesday by a score of 79-66.
After the Hawks took a 34-32 lead on a free throw with 3:40 remaining in the opening half, the Huskies would not allow another Hawks’ basket until more than four minutes into the second half.
“It shows the growth of this team and the maturity of this team to go up 8 and be on a 10-0 run and start the first four minutes of the second half and still be focused to the details that was required to get the lead,” said NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno. “We have guys who understand what it takes to win. We just got to keep making sure that that’s the focal point.”
EFFICIENT OFFENSE
NIU’s offensive attack was consistent, shooting 47.9% on field goals with a 9-for-20 night from behind the arc. The Huskies scored 24 points in the paint and collected 11 assists as a team.
Sophomore guard Quentin Jones led the scoring for NIU, tying a career-high with 22 points in his third game with the Huskies. Jones shot 50% from the field and from three while playing all 40 minutes.
“The points is cool, but I just want to get that win,” Jones said. “We didn’t get a lot of wins last year, so that’s the main focus this year. We come out with that energy every night, we should get the win.”
The Huskies next highest scorer was junior forward Ethan Butler, who racked up 15 points while four fouls kept him to just 24 minutes on the court. Butler also blocked three shots for the second-straight game.
“Just being aggressive, that’s what everyone wants me to do,” Butler said. “I feel like at my stature, size and athleticism, just using that to affect the game. Whether it’s blocking shots or getting on the offensive glass, just being aggressive and going downhill – that’s all I got to do.”
AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Huskies were stout, holding Monmouth to 31.1% from the field and 4-for-16 from range. Without the assistance of sophomore guard Abdi Bashir Jr. – who led the game with 25 points – the Hawks shot 25% on the night.
The Huskies also totaled 9 blocks – their highest game total since Dec. 9, 2023, on the road against Monmouth.
“We wanted to be more relentless to the ball,” Burno said. “We have to until we get more size with health, with TJ (freshman forward Terry Copeland Jr.). So, we have to be relentless.”
UP NEXT
The Huskies will return to the court 7 p.m. Saturday to face Bradley University in Peoria. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+.
The Huskies are 1-9 all-time against Bradley with their lone win coming in 1920.
“Our defense has to travel, and we have to be the tougher team on the road,” Burn said. “We expect nothing but the best from that program.”
