Buffalo to test Huskies’ home streak Tuesday

By Krystal Ward

Men’s basketball (16-5, 5-3 MAC) returns home after a short road trip to take on Buffalo University (11-9, 4-3 MAC) in a conference matchup Tuesday.

The Huskies are undefeated at home this season and have won six of their last nine games overall. They are on a two-game losing streak. Buffalo is just 3-7 on the road so far, but has won three of its last four games.

The two teams last met on Jan. 14, 2015 in Buffalo, where the Bulls downed the Huskies, 82-63. Buffalo shot 50 percent (29-58) for the game and scored 30 points off of 16 NIU turnovers. The Bulls also shot 18-28 from the free-throw line while the Huskies were just 9-15 from the line.

Former Buffalo forward Justin Moss, MAC Player of the Year last season, led Buffalo with 18 points in 31 minutes.. Former NIU guard Anthony Johnson led the team with 21 points in 26 minutes.

Buffalo

• Buffalo averages 13.3 offensive rebounds per game, first in the MAC.

• The Bulls average seven steals per game, fourth in the MAC.

• Buffalo averages 76.1 points per game on offense, eighth in the MAC.

• Averages 12.8 assists per game, eighth in the MAC.

• Buffalo is shooting 43 percent from the field on the season, 10th in the MAC.

• Senior Rodell Wigginton averages 6.3 rebounds per game, 10th in the MAC.

• Sophomore Lamonte Bearden averages 1.5 steals per game.

NIU

• The Huskies are second in scoring defense in the MAC, averaging 64.2 points per game.

• NIU ranks first in scoring margin in the MAC with a +12.3 margin.

• Ranks first in field goal percentage defense in the MAC at 38 percent.

• The Huskies are outrebounding their opponents by a +7.8 margin, first in the MAC.

• Averages 15.8 assists per game, second in the MAC.

• NIU averages 7.4 steals per game, second in the MAC.

• Senior guard Travon Baker averages 1.5 steals per game, fourth in the MAC.

• Sophomore center Marin Maric is fourth in the MAC in rebounding and seventh in blocked shots, averaging 8.3 and 1.2 respectively.