The NIU women’s basketball team will be looking for a season split when it takes on Marquette at 7 p.m. in Chick Evans Field House.

The first time the teams met Jan. 17 in Milwaukee, the Warriors came out on top with a 85-75 victory at their home court, which was their first win in five meetings. Turnovers and fouls were the big problems for the Huskies. The Warriors shot 27 of 33 at the free-throw line, while NIU was 7 of 10.

“We had a lot of turnovers up there,” NIU Coach Jane Albright said. “We are much improved since last time we played.”

The Huskies, 9-14 on the year, are coming off a three-game road trip. They have four more games left, three of which are at home. Albright said she wants the team to finish strong.

“The seniors should have their best games,” Albright said. “And our younger kids have grown up a lot.”

The last time the Huskies took on the Warriors, pointguard Val Leitzen did not play due to a neck injury.

“Val will make a big difference in tonight’s game,” Albright said. “We missed her a lot last time.”

The 5-foot-7-inch senior has a team-high 114 assists and averages 3.7 points-per-game.

Other players to watch are freshmen Lisa Foss and Tammy Hinchee, who are NIU’s leading scorers with 18 ppg and 15.4 ppg, respectively. Hinchee also leads the Huskies on the boards, averaging 10.5 rebounds per game. Gena Stubbs and Shelly Roberts are also averaging in double figures with 14.3 ppg and 12.5 ppg.

Marquette’s senior guard Beth Ayers paces the way for the Warriors with 12.6 ppg. Other strong scorers include forward Patty Baker with 11.9 ppg and center Kerri Christianson with 10.5 ppg.

Christianson led all scorers in the first contest with 21 points, while Foss led NIU’s scorers with 17.

NIU did control the boards in the previous meeting, pulling down 56 rebounds while Marquette had a total of 29. Albright said she hopes the team can continue the board success.

NIU is coming off of a 84-68 loss against 15th-ranked North Carolina State University.

“We lost to one of the best teams in the nation,” Albright said. “I believe we played really well at North Carolina and we are ready for tonight.”