Men’s basketball (14-2, 3-0 MAC) defeated Toledo (10-6, 1-2 MAC) 71-66 in a nail-biter on Tuesday to remain undefeated in conference play.

NIU ran out to a 12-5 lead in the first, causing an early Toledo timeout. The game went on to remain close despite the early lead.

Toldeo scored six straight points with 11:28 to play in the half and cut the Huskies’ lead down to 12-11. The teams were tied at 24 with less than four minutes to play. Toledo shot 15 free throws in the first 20 minutes to NIU’s four.

Junior guard Aaric Armstead gave the Huskies a 34-32 lead just before the horn to end the first half.

The Huskies scored seven consecutive points five minutes into the second period, taking a 41-38 lead. Toledo took the lead about midway through the second, leading 50-46.

Senior guard Travon Baker drained back-to-back triples with less than five minutes left to tie the game at 57. Both teams went back-and-forth in the final minutes. Freshman guard Marshawn Wilson broke free all alone for a dunk with 24.6 seconds left to play, causing a timeout by the Rockets.

Baker sank a pair of free throws to give the Huskies a 69-64 lead with 15 seconds left to seal the game for the Huskies. The senior finished the game with a team-high 23 points and five steals.

The Huskies shot 45 percent (27-60) for the game and dished out 15 assists. The bench contributed 24 points, 10 of them coming from Wilson and nine from senior wing Chuks Iroegbu. Sophomore center Marin Maric recorded another double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

NIU scored 17 points off of 16 Toledo turnovers and dropped 26 points in the paint. The Huskies held an eight to seven edge in second chance points.

The visitors held the Rockets to 40.8 percent shooting (20-49) for the game and 27.8 percent (5-18) from the three point line.

Center Nathan Boothe led Toledo with 30 points and nine rebounds. Guard Jonathan Williams also scored in double figures for the Rockets with 21 points.

“Credit our guys, we found a way to win,” said NIU head coach Mark Montgomery, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “We got down, we came back and we just kept plugging. (Travon) Baker and (Marin) Maric had big games again, I’m happy for our guys.

“It was about who was going to make plays down the stretch and our senior, Travon Baker, made some huge plays. Credit Chuks (Iroegbu) as well, he had two great drives late to the basket. We will take it however we can get it on the road because it is never easy.”

The Huskies, winners of their last seven games, will head on the road for a matchup with Western Michigan. on Saturday to take on the B. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m on Saturday in Kalamazoo, Mich and will be televised on ESPN3.