DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball overcame the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Wednesday by a score of 80-75. The Huskies won behind a balanced offensive attack, headlined by three double-digit scorers.
“I thought we came out of the locker room ready to go and that was really important in the first half,” said women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen. “I thought we were able to kind of weather the storm and take care of things down the stretch.”
With the victory, the Huskies improve to a record of 9-11, 3-6 within the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas fall to an overall record of 8-12 and drop to a 4-5 record in the MAC.
Graduate student guard Chelby Koker led NIU in scoring, posting 19 points. Koker had multiple game-altering plays, such as a five-point run late in the second quarter which handed NIU a comfortable lead going into halftime.
“It’s just staying locked in, not really feeling the moment and just playing the game each possession at a time,” Koker said. “It’s just staying locked in and focusing on, like, what needs to be accomplished for each play of the game.”
Koker also contributed 4 rebounds and 8 assists – including her 400th career assist. Koker is the fifth NIU women’s basketball player to reach 400 career assists.
Matching her career high of 18 points, redshirt sophomore forward Brooke Blumenfeld finished as NIU’s second leading scorer while coming off the bench. Blumenfeld had a major hand in the win, knocking down multiple key shots down the stretch.
“I thought the guards were doing a great job of finding me today,” Blumenfeld said. “It comes from practice in the gym, just confidence.”
Blumenfeld was lethal in the post while dominant on defense, finishing the game grabbing 4 boards and swiping 1 steal.
Freshman guard Lexi Carlsen was another standout Huskie, contributing 9 points with three implemental three-pointers. Lexi Carlsen also added 6 assists and 1 steal.
“I think that she (Lexi Carlsen) was a spark force offensively,” Lisa Carlsen said. “She’s done a great job on the defensive end. She understands matchups, understands what we’re trying to accomplish on the offensive end. So I’m proud of her.”
Central Michigan freshman guard Madi Morson led the Chippewas in scoring, troubling NIU’s defense with 26 points.
“She’s (Morson’s) a heck of a player,” Lisa Carlsen said. “She’s one of those players that can get her own. She doesn’t have to rely on her teammates.”
FIRST HALF
NIU sparked an early run shortly after tip off, scoring 13 unanswered points and taking an early 16-5 lead. The Huskies’ run tapered, though, as a series of missed NIU buckets led to Central Michigan bringing the game within four points going into the second quarter.
After opening the second quarter trading blows, the Huskies began to pull away with just under two minutes left thanks to a 15-4 run to close out the half.
Propelled by the run, NIU went into halftime with a 39-25 lead – its largest of the game.
SECOND HALF
Following halftime, the game remained back-and-forth until midway through the third quarter. Back-to-back three-pointers by Central Michigan freshman guard Jayda Mosley brought the Chippewas within 10 points, forcing an NIU timeout.
The Chippewas pursued, bringing the game within four points shortly after. The Huskies hung on to the lead, though, ultimately going into the fourth quarter with a 58-52 advantage.
NIU and Central Michigan continued trading blows until Morson brought the Chippewas within two points midway through the fourth quarter.
The Huskies responded promptly, as redshirt senior guard Sidney McCrea drilled a corner three while falling to the ground. Followed up with a mid-range jumpshot by Blumenfeld, the Huskies held a 71-64 lead with just over two minutes remaining.
Despite Central Michigan’s late-game efforts, the Huskies held on to the lead and were able to dribble the ball out to secure the 80-75 victory.
UP NEXT
The Huskies will now head east, facing off against the University at Buffalo. Although Buffalo sits at second in the conference standings, their 18-2 overall record is the best in the MAC.
Lisa Carlsen touched on the upcoming matchup.
“If we go and we put 40 minutes together, it doesn’t matter who we play,” Lisa Carlsen said. “Whether it is somebody who’s 12-0 or 0-12, it doesn’t matter. I know that these guys understand that.”
Tipoff against Buffalo begins at 1 p.m. Saturday in Buffalo, New York. Live streaming will be available through ESPN+, listening will be provided by NIU All-Access and live stats will be provided by SIDEARM Sports.