The last time the NIU men’s basketball team played Illinois State, sophomore Todd Peterson scored a career-high 18 points.

Peterson topped himself on Wednesday when he set a new career high with 19 points as NIU (2-1) beat ISU 66-55 at the Convocation Center.

Peterson’s 13 first-half points were more than the entire ISU team scored, with a school-record low 12 first-half points.

“I came into practice early after the Notre Dame game and just worked on my shooting,” Peterson said. “I just had to work back into a rhythm.”

Peterson finished 6-of-9 from the field including 4-of-6 from three-point range.

NIU’s defense held ISU (1-1) to 15 percent shooting in the first half.

NIU blocked nine shots in the first half and 11 for the game.

Offensively, the Huskies shot 57 percent from the floor and took a 31-12 halftime lead.

“I thought our defensive intensity in the first half was outstanding,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “We wanted to carry our effort from the Notre Dame game over to this one and I think we did that.”

ISU was able to get within seven points at the 13:57 mark, but two consecutive James Hughes field goals pushed the Huskies’ lead to 11. ISU would get no closer.

ISU was led by Gregg Alexander, who had 20 points.

Hughes, making his career start for the Huskies, got career highs with 11 points and six rebounds, while adding three blocked shots.

Senior forward Marcus Smallwood was the only other NIU player in double digits, with 16 points. Smallwood was just one rebound away from his third double-double in as many games.

As a team, NIU outrebounded ISU 36-32, marking the second game in a row the Huskies have accomplished the feat.

Maestranzi, a sophomore guard, scored only two points but had a career-high seven assists with only three turnovers for the Huskies.