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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

Sophomore forward Xavier Amos passes the ball during an NIU men's basketball home game against Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 3. Amos led the Huskies in scoring with 19 points Saturday against the University of South Alabama. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Coit-less Huskies fall to South Alabama in MAC-SBC Challenge

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | February 10, 2024

NIU men’s basketball was defeated 75-66 by the University of South Alabama in the Huskies’ second and final matchup of the MAC-SBC Challenge. A 23-point performance from Chicago native and senior guard Tyrell Jones propelled the Jaguars to their...

Junior gymnast Isabella Sissi poses during her floor exercise routine at NIU gymnastics' and wrestling's Beauty and the Beast meet Friday. Sissi, an all-arounder, finished Friday's quad meet with a total score of 39.100. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gymnastics take second at Beauty and the Beast meet

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

DeKALB – Following a disappointing start to its home meet schedule, NIU gymnastics has begun to find its footing with a runner-up finish at Friday’s Beauty and the Beast Meet at the NIU Convocation Center. NIU (4-6-1, 1-2 MAC) finished second with...

Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) dribbles the ball past Georgia Southern sophomore guard Paris Miller (2). Marable led the team to a victory with a career-high 26 points. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

Marable dominates as Huskies pick up second-straight win

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (11-11, 4-6 MAC) overpowered the Georgia Southern University Eagles (13-12, 3-9 SBC) 91-84 in the second part of the MAC-SBC Challenge.  Senior guard Jayden Marable keyed the charge with a career-high 26 points....

Freshman Sean Carroll (right) locks together with Lock Haven sophomore Cael Black. Carroll kept up with Black into overtime to win the match. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Beauty and the Beast: Wrestling vanquishes defending champs

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

DeKALB – Concluding decisively with three consecutive wins, NIU wrestling (12-2, 6-1 MAC) conquered two-time reigning MAC champion Lock Haven University (6-10, 3-3 MAC) 22-15 in the annual “Beauty and the Beast dual on Friday.  Battling both Lock...

Sophomore Nataly Ninova (left) and junior Erika Dimitriev celebrate a point during an NIU women's tennis home match against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday. The pair won their doubles match against the University of Iowa and each won their singles match against the University of Northern Iowa on Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis shines in doubles

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

Splitting the day with a 6-1 win against the University of Northern Iowa (0-4) and a 5-2 loss against the University of Iowa (3-5), NIU women’s tennis (3-3) earned its first road win of the season.  Against the University of Northern Iowa, the Huskies...

Then-freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22), at bat, watches the ball fly after swinging during an NIU softball game against Central Michigan University on April 1, 2023 at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. Stewart recorded 2 RBIs in NIU's victory over Western Illinois University Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Softball survives late comeback, nabs first win of 2024

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 9, 2024

Seven different Huskies crossed home plate as NIU used early domination over an in-state rival to begin 2024 in the win column. NIU softball (1-0) successfully fended off a late comeback Friday to outlast Western Illinois University (0-1) 8-6 in the...

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey warms up for practice on Wednesday ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. McCaffrey is set to start in the 49ers backfield on Sunday. (John Lochner | AP Photo)

The Northern Star Sports Staff predicts ‘The Big Game’ winner

By Northern Star Sports Staff | February 8, 2024

It’s the Super Bowl matchup no one was hoping for. Two teams that have already established dominance in the NFL and two teams that have already faced each other in the biggest sporting event in the United States. Everyone was hoping Lamar Jackson...

NIU men's tennis head coach René Vidal looks off into the distance. Vidal was announced as the next NIU men's tennis head coach Tuesday. (Courtesy of René Vidal)

René Vidal announced as next NIU men’s tennis head coach

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | February 8, 2024

DeKALB – Former McKendree University men’s and women’s tennis head coach René Vidal was named NIU men’s tennis head coach Wednesday, NIU Athletics announced. Vidal served as McKendree’s head tennis coach from 2020 to 2024. In 2022, Vidal...

Redshirt junior guard Sidney McCrea drives past a Ball State University defender in an NIU women's basketball home game Wednesday. McCrea led the Huskies in scoring with 17 points in a 76-71 victory over the Cardinals. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball topples first-place Ball State in overtime

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 8, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (10-11, 4-6 MAC) conquered MAC frontrunner Ball State University (20-3, 10-1 MAC) in an electric 76-71 overtime thriller. The Huskies become the third team to defeat Ball State this season, joining the University...

The 2024 NIU softball team poses for its official team photo. The Huskies open their season Friday at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, facing five teams in three days. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Hungry for crown: Softball chases conference conquest

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 7, 2024

DeKALB – When asked about her team’s strengths, NIU softball head coach Christina Sutcliffe offered three words to describe her team: gritty, spunky and fast. Guided by its 12th-year skipper, NIU will look to use that grit, spunk and speed in 2024...

NIU junior guard Zarique Nutter (2) shoots a free throw after a personal foul from Toledo’s redshirt freshman forward Javan Simmons on Jan. 23. Nutter finished with 22 points in a win over Miami University Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies slip past RedHawks, win second straight

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 6, 2024

DeKALB – Clutch shot-making and a dominant defensive effort helped NIU men’s basketball (8-14, 2-8 MAC) hold on for a nail-biting 62-59 victory over the Miami University RedHawks (11-12, 5-6 MAC) Tuesday. The Huskies racked up 8 steals and 3 blocks,...

Redshirt sophomore Jacobi Jackson studies his opponent in an NIU wrestling home meet against Kent State University on Dec. 19, 2023. Jackson was named the MAC Co-Wrestler of the Week Tuesday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Jackson nabs MAC Co-West Wrestler of the Week

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | February 6, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt sophomore Jacobi Jackson was named the MAC Co-West Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.  The announcement follows a dual-deciding victory at the heavyweight division against the University at Buffalo on Saturday....