DeKALB — Sloppy possessions tormented the NIU men’s basketball team as they fell to the Central Michigan University Chippewas 69-63 at the Convocation Center Saturday.

“Disappointing loss for the program,” head coach Rashon Burno said. “We are in a tough stretch of four games in eight days and, mentally, these guys are fatigued. We didn’t come out in the right way and put ourselves down five at the half. We didn’t execute in the first half particularly well and didn’t shoot well.”

The Chippewas scored the first basket of the game but NIU quickly went on a 9-0 run, including a monster dunk by senior guard Anthony Crump, making it 9-2 Huskies with 16:54 left in the first half.

Central Michigan responded with a 19-9 run of their own over the next ten minutes as they played solid defense and induced turnovers left and right making it 21-18 Chippewas.

CMU graduate guard Cameron Healey had two steals of his own during that run contributing to the Chippewas’ stifling defense.

The Huskies could not get the three-point shooting going at all during the first half, going 1-8 from behind the arc, with their only make coming in the first minute.

NIU also led in the turnover margin seven to six but did have an advantage on the board 19-16.

Central Michigan, on the other hand, was more consistent behind the three-point line, going 4-8 while also holding the edge in fouls seven to nine.

The Chippewas led the Huskies 33-28 at the end of the first half behind nine points from graduate forward Harrison Henderson and nine points from redshirt senior Ralph Bissainthe.

Sophomore guard Keshawn Williams scored ten for the Huskies and senior center Adong Makuoi netted six.

NIU came out of the break with more energy, showing more bounce in their step. Central Michigan’s active hands, however, caused two turnovers in the first three minutes, leading to more points off turnovers.

The Huskies finally broke their cold spell from three with 16:26 left in the second as Williams made it 39-35 Chippewas.

In what felt like clockwork, the Huskies kept turning the ball over with five turnovers in the first seven minutes of the half, leading to the Chippewas getting four points off turnovers.

NIU was unable to get any momentum or consistency going as they gave up a 14-4 run to the Chippewas, making the score 53-41 with 9:25 left in the half.

The Huskies started to find life right after Central Michigan’s run, going 13-4 in the next 4:45 to cut the deficit to three and make the score 57-54.

After a Williams free throw put them within two, Williams found Crump on a backdoor cut to lay it in and tie the game for the first time 59-59.

The Huskies and Chippewas traded baskets for the next two minutes, making the game 61-61 with two minutes left in the half.

Central Michigan hit on back-to-back possessions, making the score 66-61 and NIU was unable to answer. The Huskies had to resort to fouling, sealing the 69-63 win for the Chippewas.

“We left a lot of points on the table,” Burno said. “You need your stars to produce, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the hole for you and that’s part of the game. But what else are you doing for your team? Are you rebounding? Are you running the floor? It’s not just points.”

The loss puts NIU at an overall record of 5-13 and 2-6 against Mid-American Conference opponents. The Chippewas also find themselves with losing records of 3-13 overall and 2-3 in MAC play, but now have their first win in a month.

The Huskies will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on the University of Western Michigan Broncos. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN3.