Men’s basketball (19-11, 8-9 MAC) will play its final game of the regular season Friday when it takes on Ball State University (19-10, 10-6 MAC) at home.

Ball State is at the top of the MAC West and the Huskies are just two places behind. NIU still has only suffered one home loss this season, going 15-1 at the Convocation Center. The Cardinals are 7-6 on the road this season, but have won three of their last four contests away from Worthen Arena.

The teams last met Feb. 19 when Ball State stalled the Huskies’ chance of tying for first place, beating them 63-59. NIU’s defense was stiff and the offense struggled to score, shooting just 31.6 percent (18-57) for the game.

Senior guard Travon Baker scored a team-high 19 points for the Huskies and sophomore center Marin Maric recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. The Huskies and Eagles are fourth and fifth in the MAC, respectively.

Ball State

• Ball State has the No. 1 scoring defense in the MAC, averaging 66.3 points per game.

• Fourth in blocked shots in the MAC, averaging 3.7 per game.

• The Cardinals are second in the MAC in assists, averaging 15.2 per game.

• Third in three-point field goals made, averaging 8.8 per game.

• Senior forward Bo Calhoun is tied for fourth with Maric in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 8.7 per game.

NIU

• NIU is second in scoring defense in the MAC, averaging 67 points per game.

• First in the MAC in field goal percentage defense (39 percent).

• First in the MAC in rebounding margin with a +5.4 margin.

• The Huskies are second in steals in the MAC, averaging 7.3 per game.

• Junior guard Michael Orris is third in the MAC in assist/turnover ratio.

• Maric is 10th in field goal percentage in the MAC (49 percent).