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GAME NOTES: Central Michigan will try to keep pace in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference when the Chippewas battle the Northern Illinois Huskies this evening at the NIU Convocation Center.

The Chippewas currently sit at 7-6 in conference play, which places them one game behind Ball State for the division lead. The last time Central Michigan was on the floor the team defeated Tennessee State, 79-73. It was just the second win in the last six games for CMU, which is just 4-10 on the road this season.

The Huskies stumble into this contest with a 10-game losing skid, and that includes a 73-70 setback to Eastern Illinois in BracketBusters action over the weekend. Northern Illinois opened MAC play with four straight wins, but since then it has been all downhill, as the team has lost its next nine league contests.

The Huskies hold a 47-42 edge over CMU in the all-time series, but the Chippewas won the last matchup earlier this season by an 81-75 margin.

The Chippewas put forth a strong effort in their last matchup, as they scored 79 points in a win over Tennessee State. Central Michigan shot 48.9 percent from the field, and also finished 25-of-33 from the foul line. Robbie Harman and Marko Spica led the way with 17 points apiece, while Jordan Bitzer tallied 16 points. Harman and Bitzer have been the top two players throughout the season for CMU, as Harman is pacing the team with 14.4 ppg and 2.8 apg. As for Bitzer, he is contributing 14.3 ppg for Central Michigan, which as a whole is netting just 64.7 ppg.

The Huskies have suffered through inconsistent play at the offensive end of the floor, as the team is producing just 68.1 ppg, behind a pedestrian 40.6 percent shooting effort. Xavier Silas is one of the few bright spots on the year for NIU, as the guard is netting 19.7 ppg, to go along with 5.3 rpg. Darion Anderson heads into this game with 10.5 ppg, and is also pacing the team with 6.1 rpg and 90 assists. The last time the Huskies were on the floor the team suffered a three-point loss to Eastern Illinois. NIU shot just 37.1 percent from the floor and finished a woeful 8-of-35 from behind the arc. Sean Kowal led the way with 20 points, while Silas and Mike DiNunno tallied 19 and 11 points, respectively.

The Huskies haven't won in over a month, but look for them to finally claw their way into the win column tonight. It will not be easy, but Northern Illinois should do just enough to upend CMU.