It was his first organized game in over a year Thursday night against the Chicago All-Stars, but NIU basketball’s P.J. Smith didn’t show it.

Losing 84-73 in its first exhibition game of the season, many of the Huskie players expressed first-game jitters, but Smith didn’t falter.

“My adrenaline was real high,” said Smith. “I just wanted to go out and do real good and have a positive impact with the team. It felt good to be back out there.”

Grabbing the opening tip, connecting on the first shot of the game and scoring NIU’s first five points, Smith did not let up.

Registering 19 points for the night, the 6-foot-4-inch transfer from Illinois State, who was forced to sit out last year due to NCAA rules, made 3-of-6 3-point attempts.

Smith helped NIU to a 12-0 start in the first 4:15 of the game. But with the game far from over, the Huskies did not continue their hot play.

“I think what happened for some of the new guys was that when you get your first taste of Division I intensity it can kind of take you back a little,” said NIU coach Rob Judson. “We came out exactly the way we wanted to offensively, we moved the ball well and Perry hit some big shots. But the game is a 40-minute game and we need to keep that intensity throughout the 40 minutes.”

Walking into half-time down 55-37, NIU’s deficit grew to 18 points before the Huskies mounted its failed comeback attempt.

Getting the score to 68-67 on a Leon Rodgers (12 points, 9 rebounds) offensive putback with 2:19 left in the game, NIU was unable to get over the hump.

“I think we got a little glimpse of the heart of this team, said Judson. “Because we were down 16-17 points in the second half and it could’ve easily went to 25, but then we came back. We just didn’t make the plays offensively or defensively that would’ve allowed us to be successful at the end.”

The Chicago All-Stars consisted of former college players from throughout the country, including Stephen Jones, NIU’s senior guard from last year, who was picked up temporarily. Jones finished with one point, three rebounds and three assists in 13 minutes of play.