With another month of Huskie sports comes more enchanting moments to accompany feelings of dread.
From clutch wins to program-worst finishes, these are the most captivating and devastating moments from the last month of NIU Athletics.
HIGH: FOOTBALL CLINCHES BOWL GAME
NIU football has seen plenty of disappointing wins since beating the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 7, keeping them out of contention for a Mid-American Conference Championship. However, the Huskies salvaged the season with a pair of wins over Western Michigan University and Akron University to guarantee a bowl game appearance.
This marks the Huskies third bowl game appearance in four seasons. Bowl game placements will be announced Sunday.
LOW: VOLLEYBALL FINISHES WITH PROGRAM-WORST 4 WINS
After tying the program record for lowest win total (8) in 2023, NIU volleyball sunk lower by cutting the record in half with a 4-24 season. The Huskies finished 11th in the MAC.
The Huskies began the season 3-12 before an 11-game losing streak sent the campaign off the rails. During this stretch, the Huskies went 3-33 in sets.
HIGH: WRESTLING’S CLUTCH WIN OVER RIDER
Following a season-opening loss to Northwestern University, NIU wrestling bounced back with a closely contested victory over Rider University.
The Huskies started the dual up 11-0 after the opening three matchups, but the Broncs battled back and took a 19-11 lead with two matchups remaining. Wins by redshirt juniors Spencer Mooberry and Jacob Christensen sent the Huskies back into the lead, giving them a 20-19 win over Rider.
LOW: MEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS FIVE STRAIGHT
NIU men’s basketball has not won a game since defeating Monmouth University on Nov. 12 at the Convocation Center. Since that win, the Huskies are 0-5 and have lost by a combined 107 points, including a 98-52 loss to DePaul University.
NIU now has the worst scoring margin in the MAC, allowing 5.1 more points per game than they’ve scored. The Huskies are in last place in the MAC standings with four more games to play before conference play.
HIGH: KOKER RETURNS TO THE COURT
After missing the entire 2023-24 season to injury, graduate student guard Chelby Koker returned to NIU women’s basketball’s starting lineup. Koker has started three out of the Huskies’ six games this season while continuing to nurse an injury.
In her limited appearances, the Racine, Wisconsin, native leads the team in points per game (14.7), three-point shooting percentage (61.5%) and assists (18). Koker has scored double-digit points in each of her three games while playing just 20 and 21 minutes in her last two outings.
