Gathering together with their arms intertwined, the NIU bench’s display of unity at the end of their upset win aganst Toledo on Saturday afternoon typified the Huskies’ newfound unity.

With NIU’s star player Leon Rodgers out the entire first half, within a mere 9 minutes because of quick foul trouble, the Huskies showed they were much more than a one-man wrecking crew.

“Leon spent a lot of time on the bench in the first half being out with foul trouble, but that’s why it’s a team game,” said NIU coach Andy Greer. “After the Ball State game, we talked about trying to share the ball, ball reversal, getting the open man and we did a better job. I think we’ve grown a little bit. The kids understand one more pass. Our kids sometimes are forcing it other than getting one more pass, and that’s what we’ve been trying to work on.”

Jumping out of the blocks early against Toledo, who upset Cincinnati earlier this season, NIU was working on all cylinders.

Usual role player Matt Nelson was an offensive terror on the low blocks, as he scored his entire game total of 8 points in the first half.

“Matt Nelson really got off to a good start,” said Greer. “He’s really improved, and I’m very proud of him. He made a big contribution [against Toledo].”

Also contributing to the overall team effort was freshman shooting guard Al Sewasciuk, whose stellar shooting from the 3-point line (4 of 5) helped open the middle for the likes of Nelson in the first half and Rodgers (11 points) in the second.

“Al made some big, big shots for us down the stretch,” said Greer. “He’s been struggling, but I told him after the last game to keep shooting.”

However, it was at the end of the game when Toledo got within a point with 15 seconds left that the Huskies really gathered together as a unit.

“I think a lot of times as a team when you’re up throughout the game everybody really comes together at the end, especially when you’re playing a team like Toledo,” said NIU shooting guard Mike Brown, who contributed 14 points.

With the increased team play, the confidence has risen.

“The one thing that you like about them is that the guys have a lot of confidence in themselves,” said Greer. “They want to go out there and as they say ‘ball.'”