Steve Determan’s goal of ruining Central Michigan’s Senior Night did not happen as the NIU men’s basketball team lost to the Chippewas 72-62.

The Huskies pulled to within three points, 65-62, with 1:43 remaining in the game after Stephen Jones scored on a layup, but NIU was held scoreless after that point. CMU went on a 7-0 run to take the 72-62 victory. The loss gives the Huskies (5-22 overall, 4-14 Mid-American Conference) the most losses in school history with 22.

Central Michigan (20-7, 14-4) became the first team in the MAC to go from the worst team to the first-place team in two seasons. Last season, CMU went 6-23. The Chippewas are the first seed in the MAC tournament and have a first-round bye.

“I’m very, very proud of our kids,” said NIU coach Andy Greer. “I thought they came in here with great energy and focus. It’s a shame that we didn’t win because I thought we outplayed them … It’s 20 fouls on us to 11 for them. They’re tough-minded and they’re the champions of our league and they deserve it.”

The Huskies boasted a 29-27 lead going into halftime, thanks to junior Matt Nelson beating out the buzzer with a layup. But the Huskies sent the Chippewas to the free throw line 13 times to give CMU, who hit 11 free throws, the advantage.

The Huskies go on to the MAC Tournament against Ball State in the first round. NIU carries the No. 11 seed while the Cardinals hold the No. 6 seed. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. in Muncie, Ind., tonight. The Huskies lost both meetings against the Cardinals this season, 85-59 and 83-70.

“I feel badly for our kids,” Greer said. “They’re in [the locker room] hurting. I like their attitude. It’s ‘let’s go after Ball State.’ They know they can compete with the better teams in this league.”