With an opposing bench player coming in as a significant threat, the NIU men’s basketball team knew they would need their bench to deliver in big win.

And that’s exactly what NIU got in Tuesday’s 63-52 victory over the Air Force Academy.

The Huskies’ bench out-scored Air Force 34 to 7 in the game, with guard Jarvis Nichols leading the way with 18 points, including going 10-10 from the free throw line.

“We spent a lot of time on free throw shooting in practice,” said Nichols. “I felt a little more relaxed (when I was shooting).”

The significance of the bench performance had to do with Air Force guard Andrew Henke coming into the game off the bench averaging 14.5 points and 10 assists per game.

The zone defense NIU coach Ricardo Patton used for the entire 40 minutes of the game gave Henke limited looks at the basket. Henke fouled out with four minutes to go in the game with only seven points.

“I thought we got a great contribution from guys coming in,” said Patton. “But that’s what we need. We need consistent contribution from guys coming off the bench.”

Along with Nichols, forward Sean Smith came off the bench adding 10 points for the Huskies.

“Sean Smith came in and scored some for us, which we expect him to do,” said Patton. Patton also added that Smith has to continue to get better for the team as a whole to keep improving.

Forward Michael Hart also drew praise from Patton on both sides of the ball coming off the bench.

“Mike Hart did a terrific job for us being a defensive presence around the basket,” said Patton. Hart also contributed from the free throw line in the final four minutes, going 4-6.

With an emphatic dunk by forward Egan Grafel sealing the victory with 24 seconds left, NIU left the Convocation Center with a two-game winning streak.

Although the starters did their part and kept the Huskies in the game, the bench ended up delivering the knockout punch.