DeKALB | A quick glance at the stat sheet might suggest NIU should have won Thursday night’s game against Toledo.

The Huskies shot almost 20 percent better than Toledo in the second half, shot over 15 percent better on 3-pointers in the game and out-rebounded the Rockets by eight.

Unfortunately for NIU, games aren’t played on stat sheets. Toledo (15-11 overall, 11-2 MAC) held on to defeat the Huskies 86-83. The Rockets clinched the MAC West with the win.

“Everything was going our way,” said NIU senior center James Hughes, who had 25 points while tying his career high with 14 rebounds. “For things to not go our way at the end, it really hurts.”

With 29 ticks left on the clock, NIU (6-20 overall, 3-10 MAC) called a time-out to finalize a play. On the play, Yelder missed a jumper and James Hughes missed the tip-in.

On the ensuing possession with Toledo up one, Yelder, who had 19 points on 6-for-6 shooting, took the ball down the court for the last play. He looked to drive, but passed to Ryan Paradise, who pulled up a jumper that rimmed out.

“It’s difficult for these guys not to be on the left side of the newspaper,” NIU head coach Rob Judson said.