Sports
Thursday, March 3, 2016
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B-ball lead fades in second half Next game
Christopher Loggins Sports Editor
DeKalb | Men’s basketball was unable to hold onto a second-half lead against Eastern Michigan University (16-14) on Tuesday, dropping to 19-11 on the season and 3-10 on the road. Both teams shot more than 50 percent in the first half, combining to go 27-47 from the field, 21-32 from the free throw line and 9-16 from three. The Huskies and Eagles both struggled to take care of the ball, tallying 12 turnovers each. NIU led 45-39 at the half.
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Credit Eastern Michigan, they kept playing. You have to keep defending and rebounding, it is a shame because when you look at the stats it seemed like we outplayed them ... . ” Mark Montgomery Men’s basketball head coach
Despite holding a lead as high as 15 points, the Huskies weren’t able to put the Eagles away late in the game, allowing Eastern Michigan to come back and take over the game. The Eagles outscored the Huskies 36-26 in the second half, forcing the Huskies into 34 percent shooting for the period. Eastern Michigan also got to the free throw
NIU vs. Ball State University Time: 6 p.m. Date: Friday Place: Convocation Center TV: CBS Sports Network which could be a concern for the team heading into the tournament. “It just seemed like after we got the 15-point lead we tightened up,” said NIU head coach Mark Montgomery, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “Our first-shot defense was good, but we couldn’t seem to get the rebound. When the lead started shrinking, we couldn’t get a basket. “Credit Eastern Michigan, they kept playing. You have to keep defending and rebounding, it is a shame because when you look at the stats it seemed like we outplayed them. Our turnovers hurt us and we didn’t make a three in the second half, they only made one, but it was the game-winning shot.” Atlee Hargis | Northern Star File Photo A bright spot for the Huskies Freshman guard Marshawn Wilson drives to the lane in a Feb. 2 game against the University at Buffalo. He scored a was freshman guard Marshawn career-high 26 points against Eastern Michigan University on Tuesday, but the Huskies lost 75-71. Wilson, who scored a career-high line 16 times, connecting on 13 of struggles, eventually falling 75-71. season. Despite a 19-11 record, the 26 points in the game on 9-12 them for a huge advantage. It marked another disappointing Huskies are 8-9 in the MAC and shooting. He also hit five threes NIU wasn’t able to shake its road loss in an otherwise successful have lost eight road games in a row, and picked up six rebounds.
Baker setting records in last year Krystal Ward Staff writer
Naegele stays hot, takes MAC honor Northern Star staff
DeKalb | Senior guard Travon
Baker is climbing the ranks of many NIU records in his final year, helping lead men’s basketball (1910, 8-8 MAC) to its best year since Baker joined the team in 2012. Baker has led the Huskies in assists since the 2012-13 season, his freshman year, and each year has improved the number of assists he dishes out. As a freshman, the guard had 58 assists, 78 as a sophomore, 94 as a junior and currently has 116 in his senior season. The senior has led the team in scoring eight times this season, including a career-high 25 points Jan. 6 in an 80-69 win against Ohio University. Baker then tied his careerhigh in points in the team’s very next game Jan. 9 in an 80-63 win over Eastern Michigan University.
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In Brief
Consistent working, whether it’s in the offseason or it’s during the season, you can never stop getting enough shots up ... .” Travon Baker Senior guard
His field goal percentage has gradually risen in each of his four seasons at NIU. He shot 30 percent from the field his first year, 32 percent his second year, 33 percent his junior season and is currently shooting 38 percent this season, a significant increase from his first three years. “It’s an amazing thing,” Baker said. “I’m so blessed to have played four years of Division I basketball.”
Atlee Hargis | Northern Star File Photo
Senior guard Travon Baker launches a shot in a Jan. 22 game against the University of Toledo. Baker is the all-time leader in steals and games played for NIU, failing to miss a game in his four years at NIU.
Baker’s eye was noticeably red on Saturday against Western Michigan University, and he didn’t know if he was even going to be able to play, but decided to play through the minor injury. For Baker, it’s important to play in games — something he doesn’t take for granted. As the team heads into its final game of the regular season and
then into the MAC Tournament, Baker said the fans can expect him to give the same effort he has given all season. “Consistent working, whether it’s in the offseason or it’s during the season, you can never stop getting enough shots up,” Baker said. “You can never be in the gym enough and never get enough of watching film.
“It’s just a combination of everything, then experience coming in at the end. So it’s just a lot you have to put into the game to get a lot out of it.” Baker and the Huskies will play their final game of the regular season this week against Ball State University at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.
DeKalb | Senior catcher Emily Naegele earned her second consecutive MAC West Player of the Week title after an impressive performance in the Grand Canyon University Invitational last weekend. Naegele went 9-12 for a .750 average on the weekend, bringing her hitting average for the season to .654. She nearly finished with a cycle against Texas State University on Friday, going 3-3 with a double and a home run, just a triple shy of achieving the feat. The senior is up to four home runs on the season and is already on pace to break her six home run total from last year. She ended last season hitting .300, picking up 51 hits and 39 RBIs with a .358 on-base percentage, helping NIU go 28-25. Naegele has a chance to make a run at the single-season home run record for NIU. Her lineup mate, junior infielder Kayti Grable, set the record last year, finishing with 15. The senior will have more than 30 games to chase the record, but she is having an extremely quick start to the season. She will have a chance to continue her fast-paced season this week as the Huskies prepare to compete in the Cancer Awareness Tournament at Saint Louis University, starting with a game against the University of Missouri-Kansas City. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday in St. Louis.