Thursday, February12, 2004
NIU men’s basketball succumbs to another Toledo run
Rockets use 25-0 run to overcome deficit, hand loss to Huskies
Article by:
Mark Pickrel - Sports Reporter
• mpickrel@northernstar.info
After allowing a 17-0 run in its first loss to Toledo this season, the
NIU men’s basketball team allowed a 25-0 run to the host Rockets
in a 69-61 Huskies loss Wednesday.
Perry Smith’s three pointer with 16:42 left in the second half
gave the Huskies a 44-27 lead. The Huskies (7-15 overall, 2-10 MAC)
then allowed Toledo (15-5, 10-3) its run.
“We had 10 possessions during that stretch and we turned it over
six of those times,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “Our interior
defense needed to be stronger because they scored some baskets inside.”
Toledo senior Keith Triplett scored 11 of his game-high 15 points during
the stretch.
NIU’s Mike McKinney did a good job defending Triplett in the first
half until he got into foul trouble, Judson said.
“Is Triplett an explosive player or what?,” Judson said.
“He didn’t have a point in the first half. Toledo is explosive
because of Triplett.”
NIU didn’t score for more than seven minutes during the run.
The Huskies closed within 59-55 with five minutes remaining, but Toledo
sophomore Sammy Villegas hit a three pointer and the lead never dipped
below seven points again.
In the second half, NIU shot 27 percent, compared to 55 percent by
Toledo.
Smith led NIU in scoring with 14 points, but shot only 5-of-18 from
the floor.
Walter Thompson and Rome Sanders also reached double figures with 13
and 12 points, respectively.
The Huskies played their second straight game without All-MAC player
Marcus Smallwood because of a “coach’s decision.” Smallwood’s
status for Saturday’s game against Ball State is undetermined,
Judson said.
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