Men’s basketball (16-8, 5-6 MAC) will return home Saturday to face the University of Akron (19-4, 8-2 MAC) after playing four of its last five games on the road.

NIU is on a five-game losing streak that saw the team drop below Ball State University and Central Michigan University in the MAC West standings. Akron is on top of the MAC East and is currently on a six-game winning streak.

The teams’ first matchup on Jan. 26 was a hard-fought contest in the MAC. Akron knocked down 12 three-pointers and hit clutch baskets down the stretch to pull out the 76-66 victory. The Zips went 26-35 (74.3 percent) from the foul line, while NIU was just 10-17 (58.8 percent) from the charity stripe for the game.

NIU freshman guard Marshawn Wilson scored a team-high 15 points in the game. Junior forward Kwan Cheatham Jr. led the Zips with 18 points while junior center Isaiah Johnson, sophomore guard Antino Jackson and sophomore point guard Noah Robotham also scored in double figures.

Akron

• Akron is third in the MAC in scoring offense, averaging 77 points per game and third in scoring defense, averaging 71.3 points per game.

• First in the MAC in blocked shots, averaging 4.2 per game.

• First in the MAC in three-point field goals made, averaging 11.4 per game.

• Akron is second in the MAC in assists, averaging 15.3 per game and second in the MAC in scoring margin, with a +5.7 margin.

• Shooting 39 percent on three-pointers this season, fourth in the MAC.

• MAC teams are shooting just 32 percent from three against Akron this season.

• Johnson is 13th in the MAC in scoring and ninth in rebounding, averaging 13.9 points and 6.9 boards per game.

• Cheatham is second in the MAC in blocked shots, averaging 1.8 per game.

• Robotham is first in the MAC in assist/turnover ratio, with a 4.8 ratio.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.