DeKALB | Ben Rand and Cody Yelder recuperated together in the training room through the winter, waiting for this moment.

The two basketball players, both recovering from knee surgery, had to sit on the sidelines in sweat suits, waiting to get back on the court.

It’s fitting that both were named starters in Saturday’s game against University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for the first time since being injured.

“We were both very antsy to be back out there,” Rand said.

Rand was named a starter after being back for two games. Yelder waited four games.

NIU head coach Rob Judson said the decision to start Yelder and Rand stemmed from line-up changes in practice.

“Cody and Ben are still improving, game by game,” Judson said.

With Yelder and Rand in the starting five, the Huskies went up 14-11 before substitutes were brought in.

“We had a good stretch at first stretch,” Judson said. “Some matchups, we had caught them by surprise.”

Yelder finished with six points on two-for-five shooting and went two-for-two from the charity stripe. The freshman guard also pulled down three rebounds and had three assists in 30 minutes of play – the third most minutes accumulated by any Huskie on the day.

Rand had seven points on two-for-four shooting, converting on both of his two free throws and one of three from beyond the arc. The junior forward added a team-high four assists and one rebound in his 20 minutes on the floor.

Though not completely recovered from his injury, Rand is happy to be back on the hardwood.

“In terms of being comfortable, I’m not 100 percent.” Rand said. “It’s just nice to be playing.”