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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

Freshman forward Jayden Mott prepares to shoot a free throw on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. Mott made his second-straight start on Saturday as NIU men's basketball lost 101-57 to the University of Northern Iowa. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Slow start cripples Huskies as they fall to Northern Iowa

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | December 8, 2024

NIU men’s basketball dropped its sixth straight road game to start its season as they lost to the University of Northern Iowa Panthers 101-57.  NIU started the game dreadfully slow, as the Huskies first field goal of the game came at the 10:16 mark...

Senior guard James Dent Jr. (14) shoots a fade-away jumper against Benedictine University on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. Dent is averaging 13.6 points per game as NIU men's basketball stands at 3-6 on the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

SEGRETI: New stars can’t overcome men’s basketball’s struggles

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2024

NIU men’s basketball currently sits at a record of 3-6 as the Huskies enter the final stretch of their non-conference schedule.  Coming into this season, expectations were low for head coach Rashon Burno’s new look team.  The Huskies brought...

Sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls (5) cuts around Benedictine University junior guard Brandon McCoy (1) and charges towards the basket on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. Nicholls finished with a career-high 14 points as NIU men's basketball defeated Benedictine 89-70 on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball cruises past Benedictine, ends losing streak

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | December 3, 2024

DeKALB – NIU men’s basketball (3-6) soundly defeated the Benedictine University Eagles (1-6) by a score of 89-70 as multiple Huskies reached career highs in points. The win snaps a five-game losing streak. “Good opportunity to get back on the...

NIU men’s basketball sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls fends off two Elon University defenders Wednesday in the Huskies’ 75-48 loss. Nicholls finished with 2 points Saturday in NIU’s 98-52 loss against Elon University. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

DePaul’s three-point barrage sinks Huskies

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 23, 2024

NIU men’s basketball (2-4) dropped its third straight contest in a 98-52 blowout against the DePaul University Blue Demons (6-0) on Saturday.  “We didn’t play well,” NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno said. “We’re struggling...

NIU sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls (5) resists defense from Elon University redshirt sophomore guard Andrew King during the second half of the Huskies' 75-48 loss to the Phoenix on Wednesday night inside the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The loss was the Huskies' first defeat at home of the 2024-25 campaign. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

‘Utter embarrassment:’ Huskies trounced by Elon in lousy shooting night

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 21, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU men’s basketball team suffered its first home loss of the season Wednesday night after posting its worst shooting performance in two years in a 75-48 shortfall against Elon University at the Convocation Center. The Huskies (2-3)...

NIU men's basketball guard Quentin Jones (1) drives toward the basket Tuesday in the Huskies' game against Monmouth University. After traveling to Peoria Saturday, the Huskies drop to 2-2 following a 76-60 defeat against the University of Bradley Braves. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies fall to Braves behind poor shooting

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 17, 2024

Early foul trouble led NIU men’s basketball (2-2) to its second loss of the season in a 76-60 defeat against the Bradley University Braves (3-1).  11 first half fouls from the Huskies led to Bradley taking a commanding 43-33 lead into halftime....

Freshman forward Jayden Mott drops from the rim after a dunk midway through the second half on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. NIU men's basketball scored 24 points in the paint as the Huskies defeated Monmouth University 79-66 on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball grounds Hawks

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 12, 2024

DeKALB – Led by a 19-0 run spanning between halves, NIU men’s basketball (2-1) soared past the Monmouth University Hawks (0-3) Tuesday by a score of 79-66. After the Hawks took a 34-32 lead on a free throw with 3:40 remaining in the opening...

Senior forward Oluwasegun Durosinmi (4) dunks the ball over Holy Cross College Indiana junior Asher Puhalski (22). Durosinmi had 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies earn first win, roll past Holy Cross College

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 7, 2024

DeKALB – NIU men’s basketball (1-1) earned its first win of the season in a 105-37 bludgeoning of Holy Cross College (Indiana) (2-2).  “It's a step in the right direction,” said NIU basketball head coach Rashon Burno. “You need to have...

Then-sophomore forward Ethan Butler (15) goes for a layup as defenders attempt to block him on Feb. 20 at the Convocation Center. Butler scored 10 points and pulled down six rebounds as NIU men's basketball lost 80-65 against Georgia Southern University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s basketball routed in season opener

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 4, 2024

NIU men’s basketball dropped its season opener on the road to Georgia Southern University by a score of 80-65.  The Huskies struggled shooting the ball in their first contest of the season, shooting just 39% from the field, 22-for-57, and 27% from...

Then-junior forward Oluwasegun Durosinmi (4) leaps to block a shot on Jan. 23 against the University of Toledo Rockets. Durosinmi is one of five returning players for NIU men's basketball in 2024-25. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s basketball faces uphill climb with fresh roster

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | October 29, 2024

NIU men’s basketball’s new-look roster aims to exceed expectations as the Huskies enter year four of head coach Rashon Burno’s tenure.  In the Mid-American Conference’s preseason poll, NIU was picked to finish 11th in the conference, only...

Then-sophomore forward Ethan Butler (15) shoots a floater over then-junior forward Basheer Jihad (11). NIU basketball released its non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s basketball releases full 2024-25 schedule

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 13, 2024

After releasing the NIU men’s basketball Mid-American Conference schedule in August, NIU athletics announced the Huskies non-conference slate Friday. The Huskies open conference play in January, facing off against Eastern Michigan University on the...

Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell (10) attempts a free throw late in the second half of an NIU men's basketball home game. Russell announced Sunday that he will be transferring to Niagara University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Zion Russell commits to Niagara University

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

DeKALB – NIU redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell announced his commitment to Niagara University for the 2024-25 season via Instagram Sunday.  Russell is the fourth of seven 2023-24 Huskies that entered the transfer portal to find a new home.  Sophomore...