The women’s basketball team started winter break off with a 78-59 win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers Monday, extending their home winning streak to four games.

Although the team was short three players due to injury, the Huskies were able to come out on top. Head Coach Lisa Carlsen said the team is ready to take on the rest of the season despite setbacks.

“I think we’re still working on what the new us looks like,” Carlsen said. “There’s people who have put in the time and are ready for their moment. The next-person-up mentality is strong.”

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Senior guard Mikayla Voigt led all scorers with 25 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Myia Starks had 13 points and four assists making five of eight shots from the field. Voigt said she has confidence in her teammates to work together to earn a win.

“Honestly I try to let the game come to me and I rely on teammates like Mya, to get in the paint and find me,” Voigt said. “[My teammates] make it really easy. I’d like to think I get in the gym enough to be confident in my shot to knock it down every time.”

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Voigt gave the Huskies a 6-4 early lead to start the game, but Eastern Illinois responded by scoring 12 unanswered points.

The Huskies responded with a 7-2 run to end the quarter. Sophomore guard Gabby Nikitinaite completed a 3-point play with 0:41 on the clock to get NIU within five points to end the half 18-13.

NIU’s run continued into the second quarter. Starks caught fire with four points and started the Huskies 8-2 run in the first 3:49 of the quarter. Junior forward Abby Woollacott made a layup to give NIU a 21-20 lead over the Panthers.

EIU regained the lead with a 3-pointer making the score 30-25. The Huskies closed the gap to three at the end of the second, making the score 32-29 going into the half.

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The Huskies outscored EIU 30-13 in the third quarter helping them gain the lead for good.

NIU’s lead grew to 20 with just 7:43 left in the game as redshirt sophomore guard Paulina Castro made a 3-pointer to make the score 65-45. Taking their biggest lead of the game with 5:13 to play, junior forward Ninni Salmi knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Huskies ahead 74-51.

Carlsen said she believes the team can continue to grow even without the support of key injured players.

“The more confident and comfortable we get with the people on the floor right now, I think we’re gonna continue to be better and better and grow in those roles,” Carlsen said.“We’re gonna do everything we can to put these guys in the best position to win a 40 min ball game on a night-to-night basis.”

The Huskies’ next game will be against the Chicago State Cougars at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Convocation Center.