Mark Montgomery Head Coach

Freshman guard Eugene German (right)

NIU men’s basketball kicked off its season Friday with a 80-78 overtime win against Indiana State University in the Convocation Center.

Krystal wardStaff writerDeKALB | NIU sophomore guard Laytwan Porter sank two free throws in the final seconds of overtime to seal a 80-78 victory over the Indiana State University Sycamores Friday.The game went into overtime because the Huskies missed key free throws in the final seconds of regulation during their regular season opener in the Convocation Center. “I’m proud of my guys,” said NIU Head Coach Mike Montgomery.  “When you have a lead and then a team makes a big shot to force overtime and makes the first three [in overtime], our guys didn’t drop their heads. They kept playing and found a way to win the game.” NIU controlled most of the first half as the team went on a 7-2 run to take a 16-10 lead over the Sycamores with 10 minutes left to play in the first half. NIU senior center Marin Maric finished the game with a career-best 25 points going 11-14 from the field. Sophomore forward Jaylen Key collected his second career double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.NIU extended its lead to 12 in the first quarter on a pair of free throws by Key, pushing the score to 25-13.A three-pointer by Sycamores’ freshman guard Jordan Barnes cut the Huskies’ lead to 29-20 with five minutes left to play in the first period.  After a missed three-pointer by NIU sophomore guard Marshawn Wilson, Maric grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back for the layup to give the Huskies a 34-24 lead with about two minutes to play in the first half.The Sycamores cut the lead to seven, 36-29, heading into halftime on a three-pointer by senior forward Matt Van Scyoc.The Sycamores went on a 7-0 run to start the second half and cut the lead to 36-35 on a free throw by Scott. It took the Huskies four minutes into the second period to score their first basket. Maric sank a jumper to give the Huskies a three point lead, 38-35, with just under 16 minutes left in regulation.The Sycamores took their first lead since the opening minute with a layup by Scott with 14 minutes left in regulation to give them a 41-40 lead.With 11 minutes remaining, the Sycamores extended their lead to 47-42, their largest of the game, on a free throw by senior guard Everett Clemons.NIU went on a 9-0 run with seven minutes left in regulation to give the Huskies a 51-47 lead. Maric knocked down a three-pointer with about a minute left to extend NIU’s lead to 67-61.Brenton Scott, Indiana State’s junior guard, drained a three-pointer with two seconds left to send the game into overtime. This was the first game back for NIU senior guard Dontel Highsmith after he missed the past two seasons from two ACL injuries. “It was an emotional night for me,” Highsmith said. “That first five minutes were tough for me. I was a little heavy-winded, but going through the game, I kind of got a flow.”NIU takes on Roosevelt University 7 p.m. tonight at the Convocation Center. The Huskies lead the all-time series 2-0 and defeated Roosevelt, 85-52, Dec. 22 in DeKalb.

Freshman forward Jaylen Key goes against Chicago State University's defense on Dec. 2. Men’s basketball (16-8, 5-6 MAC) will return home Saturday to face the University of Akron (19-4, 8-2 MAC) after playing four of its last five games on the road.

Freshman forward Jaylen Key dribbles toward the basket.