Men’s basketball coach Andy Greer hoped the Huskies would play harder Saturday against Toledo.

And though the Huskies extended their losing streak to six after falling to the Rockets 87-63, Greer noticed a difference.

“We talked about the game, about playing harder,” he said. “We didn’t play well, but we played better. We had 24 turnovers. All those turnovers … led to lay-ups on the other end.”

Toledo jumped on an early 10-2 lead, but the Huskies (4-17 overall, 3-9 Mid-American Conference) were able to produce their own 9-4 run in 2:17 to pull within three, 14-11. Leon Rodgers hit a 3-pointer to make the game 17-14 — but it would be the last NIU score for almost four minutes.

Rory Jones scored 8 points in the Rockets’ 15-0 run to take the 32-14 lead.

“It doesn’t surprise me that they got it going like that,” Greer said. “This is a good ballclub. Toledo played a strong non-conference schedule and they beat Cincinnati.”

The Rockets went 52.5 percent from the floor, 56.3 percent from 3-point range and 69.5 percent from the free-throw line. Greg Stempin scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.

Rodgers led the Huskies with 16 points, and Mike Brown added 13. Junior center Matt Nelson added a double-double, notching 12 points and 11 boards.

“Our focus early was to try to make them beat us over the top, from outside,” Greer said. “Sometimes you pick your poison. Their outside shooting was our poison. Cullar did a nice job of getting them off. He hit those early threes and hit 4-of-5 for the game.

“I’m very happy for Matt Nelson. He worked very hard every day. He’s a bright spot for us this season and his best basketball is ahead of him. I also thought Marcus Smallwood (8 points and 6 rebounds) played well. We just have to keep working in practice.”