NIU women’s basketball (9-12, 3-7 MAC) was blown out by the University at Buffalo Bulls (19-2, 8-2 MAC) by a score of 84-58 on Saturday.
While the Huskies limited their turnovers to beat Central Michigan University on Wednesday, NIU failed to do so today. Posting 11 turnovers in their victory against Central Michigan, the Huskies compiled 18 turnovers in today’s massacre.
The Huskies failed to make up for their turnovers with great offensive or defensive play. NIU shot 38.9% from the field and 26.1% from the three-point line. In comparison, the Bulls shot 52.4% from the field and 41.7% from the three-point line.
The Bulls won behind their three-headed monster of fifth-year guard Chellia Watson, fifth-year guard Noelani Cornfield and senior forward Jordyn Beaty.
Coming into today’s game, the majority of NIU’s focus was directed at Watson, who leads the MAC in scoring with 19.7 points per game. Watson managed to lead Buffalo in scoring, posting 24 points while swiping 2 steals.
The Huskies’ emphasis on Watson allowed for more production from Cornfield, who stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and led the Bulls with 5 game-wrecking steals. Cornfield’s balanced scoring and facilitating attack helped separate the Bulls from the Huskies in this game.
Rounding out Buffalo’s scoring trio was Beaty, who made her presence felt coming off the bench. Beaty dominated the paint with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Huskies, it was a one woman show. The Huskies finished the contest with two double-digit scorers, but it was only graduate student guard Chelby Koker’s points that came outside of garbage time.
Koker finished the game leading NIU with 15 points, adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Another Huskie that had an impact on Saturday’s game was freshman guard Lexi Carlsen. Carlsen took the best care of the basketball out of NIU’s starting lineup with only 1 turnover. Carlsen also added 7 rebounds and 8 points.
FIRST HALF
The Huskies started the first quarter rough with 6 quick turnovers, but the turnovers didn’t matter thanks to Koker’s hot hand. Scoring 11 of the Huskies’ 19 first quarter points, Koker helped send the Huskies into the second quarter with a two-point deficit.
Buffalo began to pull away shortly into the second quarter. The Bulls opened the quarter with a 12-5 run, creating a nine-point lead midway through the second frame.
Turnovers continued to curse NIU throughout the first half, as Buffalo produced 10 points off turnovers, compared to the Huskies’ two. Furthermore, NIU committed 11 turnovers in the first half, compared to the Bulls’ five.
Buffalo improved to a 42-33 lead at halftime as the Huskies didn’t have an answer for the Bulls’ offensive success in the opening half.
SECOND HALF
The Huskies scored the first basket of the half but remained cold for the rest of the third quarter while the Bulls’ defense continued to stifle NIU, only managing to put up 9 points.
The Bulls were dominant in all phases of the game, making it hard for the Huskies to cut into the lead at any point. The Bulls dominance continued in the fourth quarter as their lead grew.
Opening the fourth quarter with a 64-42 lead, the Bulls kept their foot on the gas. Buffalo went on to outscore the Huskies 22-16 in the fourth quarter, sealing the 26-point victory.
UP NEXT
The Huskies’ next matchup is against Kent State University, who is tied for second place in the MAC. Tipoff against Kent State is at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Convocation Center.
Live streaming will be available through ESPN+, listening will be provided by WDKB 94.9 FM and live stats can be accessed through SIDEARM Sports.