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Print This StoryNorthern Illinois (6-20) At Eastern Michigan (12-16)
GAME NOTES: A rough season will come to a close this afternoon for the Northern Illinois Huskies, as they will take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles in Mid-American Conference action at the Convocation Center. Not many things went right for the Huskies this year, as the team collected just six total victories. NIU, which is a woeful 3-11 in conference, has lost eight of its last nine games, including three straight setbacks. The last time the Huskies were on the floor, the team suffered a tough, 69-63 loss to Ball State. As for the Eagles, they had a small two-game winning streak snapped with a tough, 72-63 setback to Toledo this past Tuesday. With the loss, EMU fell to a mere 7-8 in league. The majority of the success for the Eagles came at home, as the team collected nine of its 12 wins at the Convocation Center. Earlier this season the Eagles defeated NIU, 65-61. However, in the all-time series, the Huskies hold a commanding, 45-25 edge.
The Huskies have struggled offensively throughout the season, and come into this matchup averaging just 65.6 ppg, while shooting a mere 41.9 percent from the floor. Darion Anderson has been the top performer for NIU,as the guard is posting 11.8 ppg to go along with 5.2 rpg and 72 assists. Jarvis Nichols rounds out the double-figure scorers with 10.3 ppg, despite shooting just 38.5 percent from the floor. The offensive woes for NIU continued this past Tuesday as the team fell to Ball State by a six-point margin. NIU shot 50.9 percent from the floor, but made just 3-of-15 three-point attempts and also committed 16 turnovers. Anderson was the only player in double figures in the loss, scoring 24 points to go along with seven rebounds.
Much like their counterpart, the Eagles have also been inconsistent offensively, netting just 66.1 ppg, while shooting 42.1 percent from the floor. Carlos Medlock has been the top option for EMU, netting 14.6 ppg to go along with 3.2 rpg and a team-best 4.1 apg. Jarred Axon is shooting just 37.2 percent from the floor on the season, but that has not stopped the guard from netting 10.1 ppg. This past Tuesday EMU suffered a nine-point loss to Toledo, and the main reason for the setback was due to the team's struggles offensively. Medlock led the way with 20 points, while Axon and Jesse Bunkley contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Neither team has been very reliable offensively, but since the Eagles are home, they should have a slight advantage in this contest.
Predicted OutcomeEastern Michigan 66, Northern Illinois 63Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
