Mike McKinney grinned as he hustled back on defense after hitting a three-pointer that put NIU up 46-29 in the second half.

The Huskie guard’s teammates beamed as well after Bowling Green called a timeout following the play.

Later, after NIU topped the MAC West-leading Falcons 72-61 Wednesday night at the Convocation Center, even NIU coach Rob Judson could smile.

“I was having a lot of fun,” McKinney said. “We’re back at home and we’re winning.”

The Huskies (10-15 overall, 6-10 MAC) led by as much as 20 in the second half, but Bowling Green (16-8, 9-6) slowly crept back to within four points with less than five minutes remaining.

NIU guard Anthony Maestranzi responded by making a three-pointer to add to the lead and his 16 points on the night.

“Our guys showed a lot of poise regrouping,” Judson said. “Anthony made that three-pointer, and then we made our free throws to seal the win.”

NIU football’s Shatone Powers, a 6-foot-1 wide receiver, suited up for the Huskies in his first game after practicing with the team since Monday, but did not play. He is helping replace forward Paige Paulsen in the Huskies’ practices. Paulsen is out indefinitely after a concussion earlier this month.

The hot-handed Huskies shot 57.9 percent from behind the three-point arc, led by guards Maestranzi, McKinney and Cory Sims, who collectively scored 48 points.

Sims added a team-high 17 points and seven assists while McKinney added 15 points and eight rebounds.

“When good shooters are comfortable, they make shots – particularly at home,” Bowling Green coach Dan Dakich said. “I didn’t think we got hard play from anybody in the first half. We just had guys out there playing basketball.”

The Huskies are now 6-1 at home in the MAC, and boast a five-game home winning streak. The win over the Falcons comes after the Huskies lost their 10th straight road game to Wright State on Saturday.

“This was a big win,” Judson said. “I’m grateful and blessed to coach these kids. They came back home after all of that and played the top team in the league. They kept pushing.”