DeKALB – It was difficult for Northern Illinois coach Mark Montgomery to evaluate whether the NIU men’s basketball team took a step forward or a leap backward Sunday in a 72-54 win over Judson University, an NAIA school.

On one hand, the Huskies (1-2) won their first game of the season with seven freshmen making up a bulk of the
rotation.

Judson (2-7), on the other hand, trailed by just three with eight minutes remaining after playing the night before. Montgomery shook his head when asked what direction he thought his team went in with Sunday’s win.