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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Men’s basketball staff sees shake up

By Scott A. Nicol | April 13, 2017

DeKALB — The men’s basketball team had three coaches leave or not have their contracts renewed as the team continues to change.Assistant Coaches Lou Dawkins and Jason Larson have left the program, Jeremy Reid, men’s basketball media services spokesperson...

Former sophomore guard Marshawn Wilson shoots from distance in a 2015 game. Wilson and Head Coach Mark Montgomery came to a mutual agreement for Wilson to have a fresh start elsewhere before Tuesdays game against Ball State University at the Convocation Center.

Guard and coach reach ‘mutual’ agreement

By Tom Burton | February 20, 2017

Former sophomore guard Marshawn Wilson shoots from distance in a 2015 game. Wilson and Head Coach Mark Montgomery came to a 'mutual' agreement for Wilson to have a fresh start elsewhere before Tuesday's game against Ball State University at the Convocation Center.

Mens basketball unable to maintain late lead

Men’s basketball unable to maintain late lead

By Tom Burton | February 15, 2017

Senior forward Aaric Armstead throws down a dunk Tuesday against Ball State University at the Convocation Center. NIU lost 81-72 in overtime.

Q&A: Mens senior forward

Q&A: Men’s senior forward

By Tom Burton | February 9, 2017

DeKALB | Aaric Armstead, men’s basketball senior forward, is looking to build on his successful past season when he was one of only two Huskies to start in every game.This season, Armstead is averaging 10 points and six rebounds while averaging over...

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.

Basketball escapes in overtime

By Krystal Ward | November 14, 2016

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.

Huskies take home 3 conference awards

By Krystal Ward | March 10, 2016

The men’s basketball team took home three honors when the MAC announced its all-league teams Monday.Sophomore center Marin Maric was named to the All-MAC Third Team, freshman guard Marshawn Wilson was named to the All-Freshman Team and junior guard...

Men’s basketball conquers Ball State on senior night

By Krystal Ward | March 7, 2016

Men’s basketball (20-11, 9-9 MAC) defeated Ball State University (19-12, 10-8 MAC) 80-69 on Friday to capture its first 20-win season since the 1995-96 season, the fourth time in school history the team has reached that plateau.Hot shooting guided the...

Coach Mark Montgomery expresses frustration from the bench on Feb. 22.

Men’s basketball loses lead in game against Eastern Michigan

By Christopher Loggins | March 3, 2016

Coach Mark Montgomery expresses frustration from the bench on Feb. 22.

Defense leads to another NIU win

By Christopher Loggins | February 18, 2016

A strong defensive showing helped men’s basketball defeat Bowling Green State University 71-60 on Tuesday to give it 18 wins, its most in a season since 1995 when it won 20.The Huskies had three players score in double figures for the game, led by junior...

Junior guard Aaric Armstead drives around the key in Saturdays game against the University of Akron. The Huskies beat the Zips 80-79.

Basketball breaks streak with late win

By Krystal Ward | February 15, 2016

Men’s basketball (17-8, 6-6 MAC) drew its biggest crowd of the season Saturday, snapping its five-game losing streak in a thrilling 80-79 victory against the University of Akron (20-5, 9-3 MAC) at the Convocation Center.Junior guard Aaric Armstead was...

Freshman forward Jaylen Key goes against Chicago State Universitys 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.

Rematch ahead for men’s basketball

By Krystal Ward | February 11, 2016

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.

Wilson providing huge spark for basketball

By Krystal Ward | February 11, 2016

Freshman guard Marshawn Wilson has been a consistent player off the bench for men’s basketball, leading the team in scoring six times this season.Wilson is shooting 45 percent on the season and averaging 17.4 minutes per game. He tied and set new career-highs...