Women’s basketball season came to an end Wednesday after a loss to the Ohio University Bobcats 72-56 in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Huskies struggled to contain one of the best offenses in the MAC.

Ohio ranks second in the MAC in scoring averaging 78.4 points per game in the regular season. Sophomore Cece Hooks leads the way for Bobcats averaging 17.4 points per game and is ranked fifth in the MAC.

Ohio won the only regular season matchup between the two teams on Jan. 23 at the Convocation Center. The Bobcats won in dominating fashion 69-53. Although the Huskies lost the previous contest, they were able to subdue Hooks in the game only allowing her to score six points.

Related: Women’s basketball plays Ohio in second round of MAC Tournament

NIU struggled offensively to start the game making 31.3 percent of their shots from the field. The Bobcats took advantage of NIU’s shooting slump by scoring 24 points on 47.4 percent shooting in the first.

Although the Huskies’ offense had issues clicking, sophomore Gabby Nikitinaite was able to score five points in the first quarter.

The shooting woes continued for the Huskies in the second quarter making only 28.6 percent of their shots from the field. NIU struggled handling the ball as the Bobcats forced four turnovers in the quarter.  

Nikitinaite again led the Huskies in scoring in the second quarter with eight points and grabbed three rebounds. NIU entered halftime trailing 37-25 despite Nikitinaite’s efforts.

The Bobcats pushed their lead to 20 in the third quarter by shooting 50 percent from the field. NIU did not have similar success offensively only knocking 35.7 percent of their shots from the field.

Nikitinaite led the Huskies in scoring in the third quarter scoring eight points and two more rebounds.

NIU showed signs of life in the fourth quarter after senior guard Mikayla Voigt made one of two free throws to bring the Huskies closer at 64-51. The Bobcats squashed NIU’s hopes of a comeback holding them to four points in final few minutes.

Voigt led the Huskies in fourth-quarter scoring,r but it was too little too late as the Bobcats won 72-56.

Nikitinaite led the Huskies in scoring and rebounds recording a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Voigt, playing her final game with the Huskies, scored 14 points on 4-15 shooting.

Voigt talked about the Huskies season and what the team accomplished while dealing with numerous injuries.

“It’s been a great year [and] I’m super proud of us all,” Voigt said. “his team has overcome a lot of advisory and injury.”