Women’s basketball falls to the Chippewas

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Women’s basketball falls to the Chippewas

By Justin Kelley

The women’s basketball team winning streak came to an end Saturday after a loss to the Central Michigan University Chippewas 76-52. NIU struggled to slow down two of top scorers in the Mid-American Conference.

Senior forward Reyna Frost and senior guard Presley Hudson rank second and third in the MAC in points per game, averaging 21.2 and 20.9 points respectively.

The Huskies’ offense struggled against the Chippewas, making only 29.4 percent of their shots from the field.

NIU’s scoring slump began in the first quarter, making five of its first 16 shots from the field. Frost and Hudson combined for 21 points in the first quarter.

Junior guard Myia Starks led the Huskies in scoring with four while Junior Ally May led in rebounds with five in the first quarter.

The shooting woes continued for NIU in the second quarter, knocking down 31.6 percent of its shots from the field. The Chippewas took advantage of the Huskies offensive struggles and extended their lead to 18 after a Frost 3-pointer.

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Junior guard Gabby Nikitinaite scored three points and grabbed two defensive rebounds for the Huskies in the second quarter. The Chippewas took a 40-24 lead into halftime.

CMU’s offense scored at will in the third quarter, knocking down 50 percent of its shots. The Huskies offense did not have the same scoring success. They knocked down four shots on 23.5 percent shooting for the quarter.

Senior guard Mikayla Voigt and Nitikitainte led NIU’s scoring effort scoring four points each.

The Chippewas put the Huskies away in the fourth quarter allowing NIU to shoot only 31.6 percent from the field.

Although the Huskies’ offense struggled, their defense finally slowed down CMU allowing 16 points in the fourth quarter.

The defensive awakening was too little too late for the Huskies as the Chippewas coasted to a 76-52 victory.

Frost and Presley alone outscored NIU as they combined for a ridiculous 56 points, shooting 23 of 47 from the field.

The Huskies continue MAC play 6 p.m. Wednesday  against Eastern Michigan University at the Convocation Center. The Huskies look to go 2-0 against EMU this year after picking up a Feb. 2 overtime win 68-65.