Ben Rand didn’t take much time to get adjusted to his first start in a Huskie uniform.

The sophomore transfer from Iowa kick started NIU’s scoring with the Huskies first four points in NIU’s 102-61 victory over Aurora Friday in front of 2,220 fans at the Convocation Center.

The Huskies (1-1) 102 points were the most scored by the team since NIU topped Rockford 121-88 in 2000. The total was the highest for fifth-year coach Rob Judson and only the second time his team topped the century mark. The last time, NIU fell to Akron 101-100 at the Convocation Center in 2003.

In Rand’s 25 minutes of play – second on the team only to Cory Sims’ 28 – he laid down three dunks en route to a 15-point display.

“It was nice to get into the rotation more,” Rand said. “I felt good. I was able to get comfortable and adjust.”

The Huskie offense shot 69 percent from the field in the first half. The defense held Aurora (3-2) to a 30 percent first half shooting percentage, forcing the Spartans to shoot outside the perimeter, where they scored on seven of 21 attempts.

“That’s what I like to see,” Judson said. “We have a lot of depth on the perimeter. We can attack the basket offensively and defensively.”

Todd Peterson led the Huskies in scoring and rebounding with 20 and seven respectively. Peterson was one of four Huskies to break into double-digit scoring numbers. James Hughes added 12 points and four rebounds, while Ryan Paradise made four of five shots to reach 10 points.

“They all shoot the ball so well,” Aurora coach James Lancaster said. “I thought we did a good job on Peterson, but they spread the ball so much. They did a great job of moving the ball around. Just when you think you’ve got them defended, guys like Paradise, Sims or [Anthony] Maestranzi step up. They can all shoot.”