After falling to Buffalo in its conference-opener last Wednesday, men’s basketball rebounded against Bowling Green as it earned its first MAC win of the season with a 45-36 victory in Ohio on Sunday.

For the first 10 minutes of the game, the Huskies (7-7, 1-1 MAC) and Falcons (6-9, 0-2 MAC) found themselves in a defensive battle, with the Huskies leading 5-4.

The Huskies’ offense was able to get going as they went on a 10-3 run to increase their lead to 15-7. Sophomore guard Travon Baker added five points during that run, hitting three free throws and a mid-range jumper.

NIU remained in control for the rest of the half and took went into halftime up eight, 26-18. The Huskies defense was huge in the first half as the Falcons only shot 25 percent from the field and were held without a three-point basket.

“I think if you look at this game and the Buffalo game, our defense has been very solid in both first halves,” said coach Mark Montgomery. “We’re getting good ball pressure, we’re limiting them to one shot and we’re contesting shots. I felt like we were playing very, very aggressive on the inside.”

The Falcons offense responded right out of the gate in the second half as they tied the game at 26-26, with an 8-0 run. Forward Cameron Black opened the half up with a two-point jump shot while guards Jehvon Clarke and Zack Denny each hit a three-point field goal.

“They came out aggressive after being down eight points in the first half,” Montgomery said. “They made some baskets and a couple threes and that got them back in the game.”

From that point on, the game featured five lead changes and two ties until senior forward Aksel Bolin gave the Huskies the lead for good on a three-point field goal with 3:01 remaining in the game.

Down the stretch, Baker ensured the Huskies’ victory as he scored six points of his team and game-high 13 points. His biggest shot was a three-point field goal that came as the shot-clock expired.

“He closed the game out for us,” Montgomery said. “He had a drive to the basket, and then he hit a three and hit his free throws. Travon has that poise and that confidence … He has the confidence to take the big shots and he has done that for us.”