For Huskie coach Jim Molinari, last night’s 73-70 victory over Illinois Wesleyan meant more than just his first head coaching victory.

Molinari also faced the pressure of making his coaching debut in front of the 1,085 spectators, which included several dozen family members and friends who were in attendance, including the man who sat in the coaches seat on the opposing bench.

Molinari played for that man, Dennie Bridges, when he was a member of the IW Titans basketball team in the mid 1970s, and now fittingly faced his alma mater and former coach in his home debut.

“Never in doubt,” said Molinari. “I hope this is the first of many for my career. I had great respect for IW coming in. Coach Bridges hasn’t won 420 games by mistake”

“I told Jimmy after the game I hoped it was the first victory of 400,” said Bridges. “I was sincere when I said it would be really sad if Jim lost his first game.”

Thanks to Donnell Thomas’ clutch free-throws with 1:52 left, the Huskies (1-1) didn’t spoil Molinari’s, and the team’s, home debut.

With NIU leading the game 69-66 with under two minutes remaining in the game, Thomas, who finished with a team high 18 points, was fouled on a lay-up attempt and hit both free-throws to put NIU up 71-66. Four free-throws by IW pulled the Titans back to within one, 71-70 with 57 seconds left.

IW missed a last-second shot attempt and Huskie guard Stacy Arrington pulled down the rebound and was fouled with :00.6 seconds left on the clock. Arrington made both ends of the one and one to make the final 73-70.

“We had the ball in the hands of the guy we wanted to take the shot,” said Bridges. “But we just didn’t make the shot.”

The Huskies were short-handed for the game. Forward Andrew Wells did not suit up for the game because of the lingering effects of a concussion that he suffered in Saturday’s loss at Iona. Wells is expected back for Thursday’s game against Montana State. Because of the lack of healthy bodies, NIU was forced to suit up team manager James Schraut.

IW used hot shooting from 3-point range by senior forward Mark Edmunson, who hit three of his five three-pointers in the first half, to gain an early 17-11 advantage. David Mitchell’s three-pointer cut the lead to one. A Randy Fens 14-foot jumper gave NIU its first lead of the game 18-17 midway through the half.

The Division III Titans (2-2) regained the lead, but Huskie point-guard Donald Whiteside kept NIU in the game by scoring eight first-half points, including two three-pointers over IW’s packed in zone defense. The half ended with IW on top 32-30.

Donnell Thomas, after a two point effort in the opening half, made his presence felt in the second half with 16 points and seven of his game-high nine rebounds.

IW lead through most of the closing half until, with 8:01 remaining, Thomas put in a rebound lay-up to give NIU a 59-58 lead. The Huskies maintained the lead for the rest of the contest, which remained close down to Thomas’ game saving free-throws.

IW’s Jeff Kuehl led all scorers with 24 points, while fellow forward Mark Edmunson pitched in with 21, including five three-pointers.

“I talked to our young men Saturday night that we have to find a way to pull together and win these close games,” said Molinari. “The significance of this game to me is that it came down to the stretch and we won.”

Winning against his former coach also gave special meaning to the game for Molinari. “I could tell he (Bridges) was legitimately happy (for me) and that was pretty special. We have a very meaningful relationship.”