NIU women’s basketball snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a 78-70 victory over the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. The Huskies won with a balanced offensive attack, featuring one player reaching a career-high, one matching a career-high and one setting a season-high. 

“I was really proud of our resiliency,” said NIU women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen. “They (Eastern Michigan) kind of spiked us in the face in that first quarter. But from the second quarter on, I thought we did a really nice job of staying locked in.”

The win grants NIU a 2-5 Mid-American Conference record, while the Huskies improve to 8-10 on the season. As for the Eagles, the loss is their 11th straight, keeping Eastern Michigan winless in the MAC with a 1-16 overall record. 

The Huskies executed a comeback after facing a 13-point second quarter deficit in order to earn their first conference victory since New Year’s Day. 

NIU graduate student guard Chelby Koker had a monstrous game, leading the pack in scoring with a season-high 23 points. Koker also tacked on 9 rebounds and 6 assists. 

Koker played one of her cleanest games of the season, registering a 69.2% field goal percentage and suffering only 1 turnover. 

Freshman guard Lexi Carlsen finished second in scoring for the Huskies, matching her career-high 17 points behind 5 three-pointers. Lexi Carlsen produced multiple game-changing plays, such as drilling back-to-back threes in the second quarter. 

“She’s (Lexi Carlsen’s) shooting the ball with a lot of confidence right now and she understands what we need her to do,” Lisa Carlsen said. “We put a lot on her shoulders and expect a lot from her.”

Huskie senior guard Laura Nickel was another key contributor, matching her career-high of 14 points. Nickel also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists while displaying punishing defense.

“It’s obviously really cool to get that achievement, but ultimately just happy for the team that we got this one,” Nickel said in regard to matching her career-high. “It all starts on the defensive end, that’s just where I play best.” 

FIRST HALF

Despite opening the game with a 6-2 run, the Huskies failed to hold on to the lead and eventually left the first quarter facing a 20-13 deficit. 

The Eagles carried their momentum into the second quarter, opening the frame with an 8-2 run and leading by as much as 13 points. NIU sparked a comeback, though, thanks to a pair of Lexi Carlsen three-pointers. 

With the newfound momentum, NIU brought the game within two points late in the second quarter. On the next possession, Koker drilled a fadeaway jumpshot to even the game at 37 going into halftime. 

SECOND HALF

At the start of the second half, NIU promptly took a 41-39 lead – its first since the beginning of the first quarter. The Huskies held on to the lead, pulling away with a 13-4 run midway through the third quarter.  

As Eastern Michigan fought back, NIU managed to go into the final frame with a six-point advantage. 

The Huskies kept their foot on the gas, sustaining a comfortable lead until the final minutes. Eastern Michigan came within three points with 45 seconds remaining, regaining competitiveness thanks to a three-pointer by Eastern Michigan redshirt junior guard Olivia Westphal. 

Spoiling Eastern Michigan’s attempt at a comeback, Koker pieced together a three-point play to give NIU a two-possession lead with 21 seconds remaining.

“They (Eastern Michigan) had the choice to foul or try to play out the shot clock, so they were pressuring it, and it’s obvious that they weren’t going to foul because they didn’t do it within like the first 10 seconds,” Koker said. “Thankfully, we’re able to get in a good rhythm and make a good play at the end there.”

As time expired, the Eagles were unable to score another point, allowing the Huskies’ to dribble out the 78-70 victory. 

UP NEXT

Ahead of NIU’s 1 p.m. game against the MAC-leading Ball State University Cardinals on Saturday, Lisa Carlsen touched on the Huskies’ upcoming matchup. 

“I think every time we step on the floor, that’s a big game,” Lisa Carlsen said. “Whether it’s Ball State who hasn’t lost or whether it’s Eastern (Michigan) who hasn’t won. I think every 40 minutes is a dog fight.” 

The Huskies’ matchup against the Cardinals will be held at the Convocation Center in DeKalb in celebration of NIU Athletics’ 125th Anniversary. Live streaming will be available through ESPN+, listening is accessible through WDKB 94.9 FM and live stats will be provided by SIDEARM Sports.