My health has been in the toilet lately. I didn't attend an extra credit event for one of my classes and didn't even bother to listen or watch NIU @ Akron. It was the "MAC game of the week" or something. I really couldn't stomach another loss at this point. Earlier today, I shrugged off the notion that NIU right now was just like an animal backed up in to a corner.
Akron had won 22 straight games @ Rhodes Arena, which was the 5th longest streak in the country. Come on now this is a 5-17 17 point underdog against a 17-6 Akron team at home! Truly David vs Goliath.
Jake Anderson went 8 for 11 from the field and scored 24 points with 10 rebounds. Michael Patton went 7 for 13 including 5 from behind the arc, finishing with 22.
Keep in mind that both players mentioned above are TRUE FRESHMEN and will be around for 3 more years.
Out of nowhere, Ben Rand also got a double double scoring 11 and pulling down 10. Logan and Nichols both had 10 pts as well. Ricardo made a comment after the game that Rand was only 65-75% ready to go. The Iowa transfer truly has a lot of heart to still be playing this game.
One of the worst perimeter defenses in the nation (currently 328th) in NIU stopped Akron as they only made 8 of 27 shots from the 3-point range. The Huskies shot 64.5% for the entire game, and never fell behind in the 2nd half.
The next home game is Sunday at 3pm @ the Convo in Dekalb against Western Michigan. Can NIU continue their momentum and possibly make a dent in the MAC Tourney? Is it possible for this team to have a chance to make the tourney? Only time will tell.
HIGHLIGHTS (courtesy of MadDawgz02 of godawgz.com)
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