When times get hard, many people compare their experiences to running into a wall.

The NIU men’s basketball team is trying to find its way around that wall seven games into its conference schedule. The Huskies, 6-12 overall, 2-4 MAC, square off with Bowling Green, 10-9, 3-3, at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

NIU is coming off two straight losses and is looking to turn it around on its home court.

“We’re trying to get better with things on the offensive and defensive end,” said NIU head coach Ricardo Patton. “We’ve shown the ability to play better than we have in the last few weeks. We just need to be more consistent in our play.”

The Huskies’ inconsistency can be attributed to the lack of experience. The younger players are getting accustomed to playing up to 30 games in a season as well as increased travel distances.

“Halfway through the season, a lot of players aren’t as used to playing so many games so close together,” said sophomore Darion ‘Jake’ Anderson. “It’s a situation we have to get through to make us better in the future.”

Patton, however, doesn’t want to make any excuses for his young team.

“No excuses and no explanations,” Patton said. “That’s what they signed up for playing college basketball. They just have to keep fighting through it. There’s no teacher like experience.”

Anderson continues to lead the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points a game.

Nate Miller leads the Falcons with 11.6 points a game. Bowling Green is coming off a 62-58 win over Ball State Wednesday night.

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