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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson is declared the winner of his match against Purdue University redshirt sophomore Kade Law amid the Huskies' 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. The Huskies overcame the Cleveland State University Vikings Friday by a score of 29-14. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Wrestling jumps ahead early, holds on to plunder Vikings

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | February 1, 2025

NIU wrestling (4-3, 4-1 MAC) triumphed over the Cleveland State University Vikings (2-6, 2-4 MAC) by a score of 29-14 Friday. The win is the Huskies’ second in a row and moves the Huskies into second place in the MAC West, tied with Ohio University.  LIGHTWEIGHTS...

NIU men's basketball sophomore guard Quentin Jones dribbles the ball past University of Akron redshirt junior guard Nate Johnson Tuesday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. Jones had 25 points in NIU's 80-70 loss against Akron. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Limited depth plagues NIU in loss to MAC leader Akron

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 29, 2025

DeKALB – NIU sophomore guard Quentin Jones and senior guard James Dent Jr. each scored 20-plus points in a losing effort as NIU men’s basketball came up short against the Mid-American Conference’s top team in the University of Akron on Tuesday night. The...

NIU men's tennis junior Iker Dellien Velasco winds up, preparing to return the tennis ball over the net at the Mid-American Indoor Championships on Oct. 27. The Huskies beat Judson University by a score of 7-0 Sunday in DeKalb. (Ashley Huss | Western Michigan University Athletics)

Men’s tennis sweeps Judson, wins third straight

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | January 27, 2025

NIU men’s tennis (3-1) secured a dominant 7-0 home victory against Judson University (0-2) on Sunday. The Huskies controlled the match, winning all six singles matches and two doubles matches. Two standout performances came from NIU freshmen Gustavo...

NIU men's tennis junior Iker Dellien Velasco prepares to hit an incoming tennis ball at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships ending on Oct. 27. The Huskies overcame Eastern Illinois University Saturday by a score of 6-1. (Ashley Huss | Western Michigan University Athletics)

Huskies take decisive victory over Eastern Illinois

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | January 26, 2025

NIU men's tennis (2-1) secured a 6-1 home victory against the Eastern Illinois University Panthers (0-4) on Saturday. The Huskies controlled the match, winning five out of six singles and two doubles matches. “I'm proud of the way our guys competed...

NIU senior guard James Dent Jr. (14) attempts a 3-pointer against Ball State University sophomore guard Joey Hart (20) during a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game between the Huskies and Cardinals on Saturday inside the Convocation Center in DeKalb. Dent finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds to achieve the first double-double of his NIU career. (Erin Marie Barker | Northern Star)

‘It’s about time:’ Men’s basketball ends 6-game slide with win over Ball State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 25, 2025

DeKALB – In the early hours of Saturday morning, NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno got the news that junior forward Ethan Butler would be unavailable for the team’s game against Ball State University later that day. The University...

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Markel Baker holds Purdue University redshirt junior Dustin Norris from behind in the 133-pound match amid NIU's 29-8 loss against Purdue Jan. 12 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies overcame Ohio University by a score of 21-20 Saturday in Athens, Ohio. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Lighter weight classes lead comeback as wrestling trumps Bobcats

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | January 25, 2025

NIU wrestling (3-3, 3-1 MAC) outdueled the Ohio University Bobcats (5-3, 3-1 MAC) 21-20 in a come from behind effort in Saturday’s dual meet. As a result, the Bobcats – who were previously undefeated in the Mid-American Conference – no longer lead...

NIU men’s basketball sophomore guard Quentin Jones (1) drives toward the hoop while fending off a Kent State University defender in the Huskies’ 68-50 loss to Kent State on Jan. 7. Jones had 17 points Tuesday in NIU’s 72-70 loss against Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Second-half NIU comeback falls short at Western Michigan

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 22, 2025

After trailing by 15 early in the second half, NIU men’s basketball battled back to have a chance at victory in the final seconds, but ultimately fell to Mid-American Conference foe Western Michigan University 72-70 on Tuesday night at University Arena...

A graphic shows former NIU football players James Ester and DaRon Gilbert, who recently signed futures contracts with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, respectively. Ester and Gilbert are two of three former Huskies under contract for the 2025 NFL season, along with Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

James Ester, DaRon Gilbert sign NFL futures contracts

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 21, 2025

DeKALB — After completing their first NFL season, two former NIU football teammates are extending their professional careers by signing futures contracts with their respective teams. Green Bay Packers defensive lineman James Ester and Detroit Lions...

NIU men's tennis freshman Chiao Bu Suo Nan watches the tennis ball after firing it across the net. The Huskies picked up their first win against Indiana University Indianapolis Saturday. (Ashley Huss | Western Michigan University Athletics)

Men’s tennis earns first win against Indianapolis

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | January 19, 2025

NIU men's tennis (1-1) bounced back from Friday’s loss against Purdue University with a 4-3 win against the Indiana University Indianapolis Jaguars (0-1) on Saturday at the West Indy Racquet Club. The Huskies won three out of six singles matches...

NIU men's basketball sophomore gaurd Kailon Nicholls drives toward the hoop while fending off a Central Michigan University defender. The Huskies fell to Central Michigan by a score of 71-66, sparking a five-game losing streak. (Erin Barker | Northern Star)

Shorthanded Huskies lose fifth straight conference game

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | January 19, 2025

DeKALB – Injury riddled NIU basketball (4-13, 0-5 MAC) dropped a close home matchup to Central Michigan University (8-9, 2-3 MAC) 71-66.  “Next play mentality,” said sophomore guard Quentin Jones. “We just let this one go, we gotta learn from...

 No. 21 redshirt junior Blake West looks to the crowd while he leans over Purdue No. 1 redshirt senior Matt Ramos on the mat. West is currently 13-1 in the Mid American Conference and 75-19 overall throughout his career. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Wrestling falls to Central Michigan after hot start

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | January 18, 2025

NIU wrestling (2-3, 2-1 MAC) fell to the Central Michigan Chippewas (3-5, 1-0 MAC) Friday night, losing the dual 29-11.  FIERY START NIU got off to a hot start against the Chippewas. The Huskies won the first two duels of the night. The early momentum...

NIU men's tennis sophomore Angus Howard eyes down his opponent, preparing to receive a serve on Oct. 27 at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships. The Huskies were swept Friday against the Purdue University Boilermakers. (Ashley Huss | Western Michigan University Athletics)

Men’s tennis swept by Purdue in first meet of the spring season

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | January 18, 2025

NIU men’s tennis began its season Friday against the Purdue University Boilermakers. The Huskies failed to win a single or a double set, falling to Purdue by a score of 7-0.  "We competed with great energy from start to finish,” said NIU men’s...