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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Junior forward A'Jah Davis (left) watches junior guard Chelby Koker drive to the basket in NIU's victory over Bradley on Nov. 22. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s basketball slump extends to 3 games

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter | December 13, 2021

DeKALB — The women's basketball team have now lost three straight games after sustaining a 96-44 blowout loss against the Drake University Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.  The Huskies were held to a season-low 44 points and were shut out in the fourth...

NIU redshirt junior Mason Kauffman (right) struggles with his opponent, ranked UNI first-year Lance Runyon, Feb. 5, during NIU's 27-9 loss to the University of Northern Iowa at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb.

Four Huskies reach finals of SIU’s Cougar Clash

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | December 8, 2021

DeKALB — The NIU wrestling team competed in the six-team Cougar Clash on Saturday and finished second behind the University of Wisconsin.  The Huskies would finish with a total of 129.5 points, putting them just ahead of Brown University at 111.5...

NIU Athletic Director Sean Frazier (left) and head football coach Thomas Hammock (right) speak after NIU wins the MAC Championship on Dec. 4.

COLUMN: Reflection time in Detroit

By James Krause | December 8, 2021

Everyone wanted to congratulate head coach Thomas Hammock after his Huskies won the Mid-American Conference championship Saturday in Detroit.  One interaction stood out to him: a “moment of reflection” with his grandmother on the field. “My...

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball passes the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.

Future stars forging path in NBA

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | December 7, 2021

New upcoming talent joins the NBA every year, bringing excitement to the game. Players such as Charlotte Hornets guard Lamelo Ball, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony...

Senior midfielder Adrian Corona (2), senior defenseman Anthony Markanich (left), sophomore midfielder Camilo Estrada (center) and senior forward Nick Markanich (right) walk off the field after the Huskies defeated West Virginia University 2-0 on Oct. 9 in DeKalb.

Markanich twins invited to MLS event

By Northern Star Staff | December 7, 2021

DeKALB — Junior defenseman Anthony Markanich and junior forward Nick Markanich, the brothers from Bourbonnais, Illinois, are among the 44 college players invited to participate in this year’s Adidas Major League Soccer College Showcase. NIU Athletics...

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly gestures to fans after his arrival at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. Kelly, formerly of Notre Dame, is said to have agreed to a 10-year contract with LSU worth $95 million plus incentives.

Abrupt coaching changes damage college football

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Columnist | December 6, 2021

The coaching carousel in the final weeks of the 2021 college football season may go down as some of the all-time biggest moves in the history of college sports.  University of Southern California head coach Lincoln Riley and Louisiana State University...

Junior quarterback Rocky  Lombardi winds up to throw a pass in NIU's 41-23 victory over Kent State in the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 4 in Detroit. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

NIU heading to Orlando to play in Cure Bowl

By Northern Star Staff | December 5, 2021

DeKALB — After capturing the Mid-American Conference championship, the Huskies will head to Orlando to face Coastal Carolina University in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 17. NIU won the MAC Championship Game in Detroit on Saturday, beating the Kent State...

Head men's basketball coach Rashon Burno coaches on his team during a practice at the Convocation Center. Burno became the Huskies head coach in March, joining from Arizona State University.

Men’s basketball routed in Dayton

By Davione Barrow, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The University of Dayton Flyers dominated the Huskies 79-41 on Saturday in Dayton.  The Flyers came out of the game aggressive on both sides of the ball to start and did not let up. The first play of the game was an alley-oop dunk by...

Junior guard Chelby Koker possesses the ball during an exhibition on Oct. 29 against Benedictine University at the Convocation Center. Koker scored

Koker’s scoring can’t carry NIU past Panthers

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The women’s basketball team suffered a second-straight loss in the Compass Challenge, falling short to the Eastern Illinois University Panthers 87-81 Saturday in Macomb. Junior guard Chelby Koker led the way for the Huskies, recording...

NIU players celebrate in front of their fans after their 41-23 victory over Kent State on Dec. 4 in Detroit. The Huskies become the first team in FBS history to win a conference championship game after going winless the year prior. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

Huskies go from worst to first

By James Krause | December 4, 2021

DETROIT — When NIU was voted to finish last in the conference, head coach Thomas Hammock had a message for his team. “We are the best team in the MAC until proven otherwise,” Hammock said. “Obviously, nobody has proven otherwise.” After...

Junior guard Chelby Koker (right) dribbles past a defender in NIU's exhibition game against Benedictine on Oct. 29.

Huskies go down to Leathernecks

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The women’s basketball team saw their two-game winning streak snapped after being defeated by the Western Illinois University Leathernecks 92-83 in overtime in the opening matchup of the Compass Challenge Friday night.  The Huskies played...

COVID-freshman wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph had 309 receiving yards in NIU's 52-47 loss to the Kent State Golden Flashes on Nov. 3.

Best college football matchups for Dec. 4

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | December 3, 2021

This week is Championship week in College Football, and here are the biggest matchups coming up this weekend for one of the most exciting weeks of the season.  MAC Championship Game: NIU vs. Kent State  This will be a rematch between these two teams...