Men’s basketball took home a victory against the Western Michigan University Broncos 75-56, in a great shooting performance. 

Huskies had three players in double digits with senior center Adong Makuoi, sophomore guard Keyshawn Williams and senior guard Trendon Hankerson all having 15 points.

Broncos’ junior guard Lamar Norman Jr. led all scorers with 24 points shooting 55%.

In the first half, the Huskies shot efficiently, shooting 57.7% from the field. Makuoi was able to get easy points as the Broncos failed to guard the paint.

Huskies sophomore guard Keyshawn Williams contributed well for the Huskies as he could get to score in the paint. 

Huskies had one tie throughout the first half at 17:41. After that, the Huskies led the entire game and had many runs throughout the half.

Huskies went on a 9-0 run from 10:53-7:31. This run came from shooters being open and scoring inside the paint. Huskies noticed the weakness in the Broncos’ paint defense and continued to attack them.

NIU took their largest lead when going on their 9-0 run at 13, 28-15. This run wouldn’t last long as Broncos sophomore B. Artis White and Norman Jr. scored to bring the lead within four, 28-24 with 4:41 left in the game.

Huskies’ Williams continued to score with 4 minutes left, attempting to extend a lead for the huskies. 

“They came out and played freely and clean,” head coach Rashon Burno said on Huskie Sports Radio Network. “Everybody contributed to the game at different points of the game.”

Huskies led 38-30 at the half. Huskies Williams has ten points and Makuoi has nine points. Broncos Norman Jr. leads all scorers with 12 points.

Broncos Norman Jr. continues his shooting streak at the beginning of the second half as he hits a three. He brings WMU within five, 38-33. Norman Jr. would shoot another three at the beginning to cut Huskies’ lead to three, 43-30.

Huskies would go on a 5-0 run to extend the lead to 48-40. Huskies guard Trendon Hankerson would contribute with scoring as he scored five points from 13:17-12:28 to extend a 53-42 lead on WMU.

The Broncos would go on a 3-minute scoring drought with 10 minutes left but were unable to capitalize off wide-open three-pointers. Broncos missed three three-pointers and a layup in this scoring drought.

NIU would take their biggest lead at 19, 67-48 with minutes left in the second half. 

Huskies would keep the momentum going as they win 75-56. NIU finished the game with 16 assists and shot 55.6%. 

“I think our best basketball is still ahead of us; we just have to put it into play,” Burno said.

The Huskies continue their road trip at 4 p.m. C.S.T.,  Feb. 5 as they face the Bowling Green State University Falcons. The game will be televised on ESPN 3.