Amanda Corral
The Northern Illinois Univerty women’s basketball team suffered a 60-49 setback to hot-shooting Bowling Green at the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.
The Falcons (16-8, 7-4) outshot the Huskies (7-17, 2-9) 42.6-36.7 percent for the game, hitting 23-of-54 shots, including 10-of-23 from three-point territory. Bowling Green was particularly effective from long distance in the first half, hitting 8-of-15 shots from three-point land.
“We got beat in the first half by the three-point line,” NIU head coach Kathi Bennett said.
“We gave up eight threes with our hands down, one at one second [on the shot clock] with our hands down. We needed to come out and compete with Bowling Green and make a statement that this is our home court and have energy, especially on the defensive end and that’s something that we did not do.”
Chrissy Steffen led the way for the Falcons with a game-high 14 points, hitting 5-of-10 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point territory. Danielle Havel matched her teammate with 14 points, going 4-of-5 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free throw line.
Amanda Corral led the way for Northern Illinois with a team-high 12 points. Ashley Sneed continues her impressive play finishing with eight points and six rebounds. The Huskies outrebounded Bowling Green 34-30 with Alicia Johnson leading the way with a game-high eight rebounds.
Ashley Sneed
With the score 24-13 with 8:37 left to play in the first half, the Falcons put together a 12-2 run to take a 21-point lead, their largest of the game.
The Huskies came out strong in the second half, going on a 7-3 run to putt within 13, 39-26, with 17:33 left to play. However, Bowling Green responded with an 8-3 stretch to extend its lead to 19, 47-28, with 12:55 left in the game.
Northern Illinois improved its shooting from the field, hitting 41.7 percent of its shots in the second half. Unfortunately for NIU, the first half deficit was too great to overcome.
“There’s no excuse for how we came out,” Bennett said. “I have a hard time with that. I feel we’re making the same mistakes over and over. I feel it’s more about us and less about the opponent.”
The Huskies return to the floor Wednesday, Feb. 20, when NIU travels to Toledo. Tip off is set for 10 a.m. CT. Fans can follow all the action live on Huskie All-Access with Andy Garcia on the call. The game will be re-aired at 7 p.m. that night on 1360 AM/98.9 FM WLBK.
For more information on NIU women’s basketball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
