As the 1990-91 season nears the home stretch, the NIU men’s basketball team continued to gain momentum and confidence Thursday night with a lopsided 72-42 win at Valparaiso.

NIU (19-2, 10-1) simply overwhelmed the Crusaders (5-15, 2-9) after getting off to a sluggish start in the first half. NIU finally took charge of the game and took the lead for good on a Brian Molis jumper. Molis’ bucket put the Huskies up 13-12 with 11 minutes to go in the first half. Molis ended the contest with an NIU career-high 16 points.

NIU forward Donnell Thomas also had a big night, with 11 first-half points to help put the Huskies up 32-24 at the intermission.

In the second half NIU tightened its stranglehold on the Crusaders with a stifling defense that limited VU to only six second-half field goals and 25 percent shooting for the entire game. NIU’s defense ranks second in the nation in points allowed.

The Huskies’ offense was the beneficiary of the outstanding defensive play as NIU was able to string together some easy baskets midway through the second half.

NIU capped one of those runs with an Antwon Harmon dunk. The senior forward took off from just inside the free throw line to slam home two of his 10 points of the night and give the Huskies a 61-35 lead with 6:30 to play.

The Mid-Continent Conference win gives the Huskies seven straight victories.

NIU head coach Jim Molinari was pleased with his team’s effort once again, but knows that the road ahead will not be so easy for the Huskies.

“We caught Valparaiso on a good night,” Molinari said. “We played real good defense and we really played selfless basketball. Basketball is a team game and playing together was the key tonight.

“Now we have to go to Eastern (Illinois), Green Bay, and Nebraska and they’re all going to be difficult games.”

Molinari also expressed his wish to see a packed Chick Evans Field House for the final two home games on Feb. 23 and 25 against Cleveland State and Akron, respectively.

“I hope our fans come out and show appreciation for this team,” Molinari said. “Our players notice when the fans come out to see us play. This is a very special season and there may not be many seasons like this at NIU.”