Something about the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge has brought out the best in South Alabama this season.

The Jaguars led nearly throughout in a 75-66 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday at the Mitchell Center, completing a sweep in its two games vs. the MAC this season. South Alabama (12-13) also won at Buffalo 70-56 back on Nov. 11.

Saturday also marked South Alabama’s second straight win after ending a five-game losing streak by beating Georgia Southern 78-65 on Thursday. The Jaguars have won back-to-back home games for the first time since December.

“It was big to get the weekend sweep, to win both games on the weekend,” said South Alabama coach Richie Riley, whose team also won 78-65 vs. Georgia Southern on Thursday. “We’ve struggled to do that throughout the year. We’ve played well enough to win on one day and then not finish the job that weekend. But guys showed a lot of toughness — more than we’ve been showing — today. (NIU) is a scrappy team. They play hard and they’re really athletic and big up front, which is something we’ve struggled with.”

South Alabama’s Tyrell “Turbo” Jones tied a season-high with 23 points on Saturday, knocking down five 3-pointers. Julian Margrave added 12 for the Jaguars — all on 3-pointers, while Elijah Ormiston, Isiah Gaiter, Judah Brown and Marcus Millender contributed one 3 each on a day in which USA made 13 from beyond the arc.

South Alabama went 13-for-27 on 3-pointers, a 48.1% rate. That percentage was higher than the Jaguars shot on 2-pointers (45.2%) and very nearly equaled it mark on free throws (54.5%).

“I wish we could shoot like that every night; that would be ideal,” Riley said. “But we really shot it well and part of it was we had good ones. We got to the paint and sprayed (the ball) around. We had 17 assists, six turnovers, which is an elite number. And we were shot-ready. Turbo and Margrave are great shooters when they’re shot-ready.”

The Jaguars led by as many as 11 points in the first half before settling for a 36-31 advantage at the break. South Alabama hit eight 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes, with Jones drilling three of them.

South Alabama trailed only once all game, at 3-2 in the first minute. Northern Illinois (8-15) tied the game at 26-26 with 5:18 to play in the first half, but never got closer than three in the second half.

When the Huskies did manage to pull within 52-49 with 10 minutes remaining, Jones answered with a 3-pointer to put the Jaguars up by six. Margrave hit one two minutes later to make it an 11-point game and the South Alabama was never threatened after that.

“We’ve been on a losing streak and we’re trying to fight our way out of that,” Jones said. “Being at home is kind of big for us and it’s helping us out. We need the fan support. Being on the road is hard. It’s hard to win on the road. So we’re happy to get back home.”

Xavier Amos scored 16 points to lead four Northern Illinois players in double-figures, but went 1-for-8 on 3-pointers. Zarique Nutter added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies, who were playing without leading scorer David Coit, who averages 19.2 points per game but was sidelined Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Ormiston added 10 points for South Alabama despite playing in foul trouble much of the day, while the 5-foot-11 Millender had eight assists and six rebounds. Back-up big man Marshall Kearing had eight points and six rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench.

“Guys are getting better,” riley said. “And we need all guys available. Marshall Kearing, who hadn’t been playing a ton, he comes in, he helps you win. You get Judah Brown, who hadn’t been playing his best and he comes in, he really helps you win. And then Margrave, who was a guy we were going to redshirt, has had some huge games. Right now, he’s playing the best he’s played in his career.

“We need everybody available and everybody ready to come in. One thing about our team is they’re unselfish. They just want to win.”

South Alabama returns to Sun Belt Conference action with home games next week vs. Texas State on Thursday and Arkansas State on Saturday. Tip-off vs. Texas State is set for 7 p.m.