#3 Story of the Year: Basketball’s 4-points half

By Brian Earle

Men’s basketball made history after giving one of the worst offensive performances in college basketball this season.

In a 42-25 loss to Eastern Michigan, the Huskies set four NCAA records they are not proud to be at the top of.

In the first half of that game, the Huskies broke the NCAA record for fewest points scored in a half when they scored four. This broke the record they set earlier in the season when they scored five points against Dayton.

The Huskies were only able to hit one field goal in the first half as they shot one of 31 from the field, which is an NCAA record for fewest field goals made in a half. It is also an NCAA record for worst shooting percentage in a half, as they shot 13.1 percent.

The Huskies’ shooting didn’t get any better as the game went on. They set the NCAA record for the lowest field goal percentage in a game by shooting eight of 61 from the field, which is 13 percent.

NIU struggled from behind the arc, shooting 1-31. Freshman Daveon Balls hit the Huskies’ lone 3-pointer. Balls also led the Huskies with seven.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t make a shot,” said coach Mark Montgomery on Jan. 26, according to a Northern Star article. “We just needed someone to make a basket to get our team going, but I wouldn’t say that we were taking bad shots. We had makeable, open shots. They just wouldn’t go in.”