Take it one step at a time.

That is what NIU women’s basketball coach Jane Albright and her squad are saying as they enter Saturday’s 5 p.m. contest against North Star Conference foe Marquette in Milwaukee.

The Huskies are entering the game after a recent disappointing loss to the Northwestern Wildcats. While it was hoped at the beginning of the year NIU could win 20 games, the 8-13 squad (2-3 in conference) is looking to finish strong.

“We have had two good days of practice,” Albright said. “We are optimistic about the end of the season. We know what we have to do to Marquette.”

NIU leads the series with Marquette 6-1, including an 87-67 victory at Chick Evans Field House earlier this year. It is the beginning of the second half of NSC play, and it is an important road game for NIU to win. Marquette is also hungry for a conference win. The Warriors lost to DePaul Wednesday night, giving Marquette a 2-4 conference record.

“We haven’t won on the road for a while, but we are pretty capable for Marquette,” Albright said. “We have put a lot of work on our defense, because that is our weakest link. In our loss against Northwestern, instead of fouling we gave up shots.”

In the earlier meeting against Marquette, shooting by junior guard Gena Stubbs and freshman point guard Denise Dove was on the mark. Both scored season-highs with 26 and 14 points, respectively. NIU will also need help from Lisa Foss. The 5-foot-7 sophomore leads her team with 19.2 points-per-game.

Not only is Foss at the top of the charts in the NSC in points, but she also holds the top free-throw percentage of .879 and is tied for the lead with 47 steals. Three other Huskies averaging in double digits are Carol Owens with 15.0 ppg, Stubbs with 14.1 ppg and Tammy Hinchee with 12.8 ppg.

If NIU is going to play tight defense, it will have to especially concentrate on Heidi Ach. Ach is a major catalyst for the Warriors and was the leading scorer with 20 points in the previous NIU-Marquette matchup.

“We remember Heidi Ach and her good game against us here,” Albright said. “She’s an excellent shooter and is having a great freshman year.”