After 28 seasons in the Mid-American Conference, NIU women’s basketball (7-23, 4-14 MAC) was handed a 66-77 loss by Bowling Green (17-13, 9-9 MAC) on Saturday for its final game as a member of the MAC.
Coming off back-to-back wins at home, the Huskies came out strong, but were unable to keep up with the Falcons on offense as Bowling Green managed to go on multiple scoring runs throughout the game.
“I was proud of our effort today,” head coach Jacey Brooks said. ‘It’s always a tough game when you know your season is coming to a close. We played with a sense of pride and for each other.”
Junior forward Nevaeh Wingate led the Huskies in scoring with 21 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 5-for-16 from the floor, and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line
Senior guard Maria Serracanta added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for NIU, while freshman guard Emilie Sorenson ended with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, shooting 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
FIRST HALF
In the first quarter, the Huskies’ came out aggressive on offense with a 9-0 run to take a 9-6 lead with 5:15 to go. NIU’s 7 fast-break points to Bowling Green’s zero was one of the biggest factors in the first.
The Falcons’ rebounding became the difference maker, as they pulled in 12 rebounds with six on the offensive end, compared to the Huskies’ five total.
The Falcons were able to respond and went on an 11-2 run, but NIU was able to bring it back within three to end the quarter with a three-point deficit, 20-17.
In the second quarter both teams struggled to shoot, with NIU shooting 2-for-13 from the floor and Bowling Green shooting 6-for-16.
NIU was hurt by the lack of bench production as the Falcons’ bench outscored the Huskies’ bench 17-5 in the second quarter.
The Falcons went on an 11-0 run at the end of the second quarter, allowed by NIU’s 4 turnovers, 3 fouls and poor shooting, leaving the Huskies down 37-26 at the break.
SECOND HALF
NIU’s defense didn’t allow a single bucket from Bowling Green in the first five minutes of the second half, with the Falcons shooting 0-for-6.
With 4:37 left in the third, Bowling Green was able to gain back some momentum when NIU senior forward Teresa Mbemba went down with an injury, though she returned later in the game.
Fouls caught up to the Huskies in the third, as Bowling Green shot 7-for-8 from the free-throw line in the quarter
The Huskies racked up 21 fouls in the game, giving the Falcons 26 chances from the line, of which they converted 22.
The Huskies and Falcons were evenly matched in the final frame, but NIU was unable to come back from their scoring deficit.
“I believe we’re building something special here,” Brooks said. “ We’ve got some good recruits and returners, but this year was about laying the foundation and culture for years to come.”
The Huskies will now enter the offseason as they prepare to join the Horizon League.
