Nov. 2, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes

Northern Illinois 87, Aurora 70

DeKalb, Ill. - The Ricardo Patton era kicked off on Friday evening, as the Northern Illinois men's basketball team scored 54 second half points on their way to the 87-70 exhibition victory over the Aurora Spartans at the NIU Convocation Center.

NIU senior forward Shaun Logan (Eldridge, Iowa / North Scott / Kirkwood C.C.) and junior guard Jarvis Nichols (Carol Stream, Ill. / Glenbard North / Pratt C.C.) each scored 14 points to lead the charge for the Huskie offensive attack. Logan also collected a game-high nine rebounds, while Nichols drained all three of his three-point attempts.

Huskie newcomer Sean Smith (Gary, Ind. / Westside / Vincennes J.C.) chipped in 11 points, while senior Michael Hart (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook / Carthage College) added 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the floor.

NIU point guards Ryan Paradise (Naperville, Ill. / Central) and Cody Yelder (Calumet Park, Ill. / Richards) combined for 11 assists with only three turnovers on the evening. Paradise posted a game-high six dimes, while Yelder added five helpers. As a team, NIU dished out 23 assists to 11 turnovers.

Aurora shot a blistering 48.1% from three-point range, as the Spartans knocked down 13-of-27 of their long-range attempts. Division III All-American Larry Welton topped the Spartans with 19 points, followed by 18 points from Dusty Magee (3 treys), 14 points from Chad Trudo (4 treys) and 12 points from Doug Lambert (4 treys).

"You never want to apologize for a win no matter what way you get it," Patton said. "Aurora was a very good shooting team and they did a nice job. They are well coached. Our veteran guys did a nice job tonight for us."

NIU will be back in action on Monday evening at 7 p.m. (CST), as they welcome Augustana College for their exhibition finale at the Convocation Center.

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