Despite a second-half comeback attempt by Eastern Illinois, the NIU men’s basketball team held on for a 83-76 win Saturday night to begin its season.

In front of 3,621 at the Convocation Center, the Huskies were up by as many as 17 points in the second half, only to let EIU briefly take the lead with 3:06 left in the game.

“We turned up the pressure, got some steals and got back in the game,” EIU coach Rick Samuels said.

NIU had no second-chance points in the second half, compared to 16 from EIU.

NIU senior Marcus Smallwood finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds. He was the lone Huskie in double digits with rebounding. NIU was out-rebounded 42-37 total and 25-10 on offensive boards.

Senior guard Perry Smith had 21 first-half points but was limited to four in the second half as he was shackled by fouls. He eventually fouled out with 5:20 left in the game. Todd Peterson (seven points, seven rebounds) also fouled out for NIU.

“When Perry shoots the ball like that, you just want to keep getting him the ball,” Smallwood said.

Smallwood rounded out his stat sheet with a career-high six assists and four blocked shots.

“I just wish he would’ve changed his mind and committed to us after high school,” Samuels said, about Smallwood. “He takes it at you every position. What coach wouldn’t want a kid like Smallwood?”

Starting point guard Anthony Maestranzi finished with 15 points with 3-of-4 shooting from the three-point line (4-of-6 from the floor).

Maestranzi, while handling the majority of the ball-handling duties, had three of the team’s 19 turnovers. EIU had 10 turnovers.

The Panthers were led by Aurora native Derik Hollyfield with 27 points and six rebounds. Jesse Mackinson added 15 points and seven rebounds for EIU.

“One of our strengths has always been rebounding, and they attacked us at our strength,” NIU coach Rob Judson said.