DeKALB — Wednesday’s men’s basketball game against the Indiana State University Sycamores is now the second game impacted this season for NIU athletics due to COVID-19.

The game against the Sycamores was originally scheduled to take place Wednesday in DeKalb, but was canceled Monday due to COVID-19 protocols within the Huskies program, according to an Indiana State University athletics news release.

NIU made the decision after a recent opponent experienced COVID issues. The Huskies are not experiencing any COVID issues within their locker room, according to NIU Athletics.

The announcement comes in the midst of a spike in COVID-19 cases amongst collegiate and professional sports. Multiple leagues have been forced to postpone or cancel games in light of multiple players and employees testing positive for the virus.

The U.S. is currently experiencing a weekly average of approximately 133,000 positive cases, according to CDC data.

This is the second game to be called off for any NIU program.  The women’s basketball game originally scheduled for 6 p.m. against the Colorado State University Rams was canceled Sunday due to similar concerns within Colorado State’s program. Neither game will be rescheduled.

The Huskies will resume play Tuesday when they host the Ball State University Cardinals to open Mid-American Conference play. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

This story was updated Dec. 21 at 11:23 a.m. to explain NIU Athletics’ decision to cancel the game Wednesday versus Indiana State