GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will take place tonight at the NIU Convocation Center, as the Northern Illinois Huskies host the Ball State Cardinals. Since opening the season with 11 straight losses, the Cardinals have won three of their last five games, including a hard-fought, 64-60 victory over Eastern Michigan this past weekend. The Cardinals are just 3-13 on the season, but the team is a mediocre 2-2 in league action. Where the team has struggled is on the road, as Ball State is winless in six tries away from home. As for the Huskies, they have lost three of their last four games, including two in a row. The last time NIU was on the court the team suffered a rough, 77-63 loss to Central Michigan. NIU is just 4-12 on the season, however, all four victories have come at the Convocation Center. Last February the Cardinals posted a 57-55 victory over Northern Illinois. The victory pushed Ball State's lead in the all-time series to 40-29.

Since the return of Anthony Newell, the Cardinals have been much more impressive at both ends of the floor. Newell has missed a large portion of time this year, but the forward has been impressive in seven games, netting 17.7 ppg, while also collecting a team-best 7.7 rpg. The only other player averaging double figures for BSU is Peyton Stovall, who is posting 14.8 ppg to go along with 6.1 rpg. The last time Ball State was on the floor the team grabbed a four-point win over Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals shot 44.0 percent from the field and connected on 18-of-30 attempts from the foul line. Malik Perry led the way with 20 points and seven boards, while Stovall added 12 points. Rob Giles chipped in 10 points, while Newell struggled, netting just seven points to go along with seven rebounds.

Much like their counterpart, the Huskies have struggled offensively, as the team is averaging just 66.2 ppg, while shooting a mere 41.3 percent from the floor. Jarvis Nichols is the only player averaging double figures on the season, as the guard is netting 10.1 ppg. The woeful offensive play for NIU continued this past weekend, as the team was hammered by Central Michigan, 77-63. In the setback, the Huskies shot just 38.2 percent from the field and made only 5-of-18 shots from long range. Darion Anderson led the way with 22 points, while Sean Smith chipped in 10 points. As for Nichols, he was just 2- of-7 from the field and finished the game with only six points.

The Cardinals are winless on the road, but the team could change that this evening. Ball State has more scoring options offensively, and is playing better basketball at this point.