DeKALB | With NIU’s second-leading scorer out in power forward Tim Toler, head coach Ricardo Patton had to find another player to provide the offensive production that was missing.

“We were looking for someone to be able to come off the bench and help on the offensive end,” Patton said.

Although none of the Huskies’ interior players would find their rhythm to make up for Toler’s absence, a player would emerge from their bench and backcourt in guard Antone Christian.

Christian missed his first four shot attempts from long distance, but failing to connect from beyond the arc didn’t influence the NIU guard’s confidence.

Three of Christian’s career-high 15 points came when he hit from outside, nailing his fifth three-point attempt, which tied the score at 66.

This sent the Huskies and Bowling Green into overtime.

“With the encouragement from coach Patton and the rest of my teammates, they encouraged me to shoot the ball,” Christian said.

The Nashville, Tenn. native hadn’t seen any action during a three-game stretch between January 11 and 20.

“During those games I was sitting out, I always felt like I was apart of the team as far as cheering the team on and helping other guys,” Christian said.

Patton has been searching for that backcourt compliment to pair with guard Xavier Silas, who has often carried the offensive load for the Huskies.

Although NIU would fall to the Falcons 73-70, Christian’s big basket and his second-half performance showed a glimpse of another scoring threat to pair with Silas.

The Huskie underclassman has seen plenty of playing time lately and has taken advantage of his minutes.