DeKALB | For a team seemingly on life support, another loss would appear to pull the plug on the Huskies’ season.

However, when NIU (4-12, 1-3) visits MAC West leader Toledo (8-8, 4-0) 1 p.m. Sunday, the tale of Toledo in 2006 can give the Huskies hope.

The Rockets started MAC play 1-6, but still managed to make it to the conference title game. Despite its poor record, NIU sits only three games out of first place with 12 conference games left to play.

“As a coach, I try to avoid the must-win situation,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “The reality is that this is a big game, and when you say ‘must win,’ teams don’t always perform their best.”

Toledo, reeling off 11 straight regular-season MAC wins, is led by the dynamic-scoring trio of seniors Keonta Howell, Justin Ingram and Florentino Valencia – who all own double-digit scoring averages.

NIU senior guard Mike McKinney, coming off a 20-point performance in Tuesday’s 11-point loss at Ball State, is averaging 13.8 points per game.

“Mike has been real consistent,” Judson said. “Ball State was his most consistent defensive game. He was very good at blocking out and contesting shots.”

While McKinney has excelled, senior center James Hughes is still struggling with being a consistent contributor. Hughes leads NIU in field-goal percentage and is the second leading scorer, but attempted only three shots in the loss at BSU.

Turnovers have plagued NIU all season, sparking several game-changing scoring droughts. On the season, NIU has given the ball away 286 times while forcing only 211 turnovers themselves. The added possessions for the opposition have made a notable difference in games.

“That is an area that we continue to improve in,” Judson said. “We still have those stretches, but the turnover margin is becoming less and less.”