DeKALB — The women’s basketball team ended its three-game winning streak Saturday in a blowout loss to Ball State University (21-4, 10-4 Mid-American Conference) 72-50.

Turnovers were once again killer for the Huskies, as they committed nine turnovers in the first quarter.

The Huskies attempted to keep the game within striking distance but could not capitalize on those turnovers.

“It was unfortunate — not just the loss today but the way it was,” said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen. “When you turn it over as much as we did, good things aren’t bound to happen.”

The Cardinals maintained control of the game right from the tipoff, jumping out to a 11-2 lead four minutes into the conference matchup.

The Huskies struggled to shoot the basketball throughout the entire game. They hit just 4-for-13 field goals in the first quarter and shot only 28.6 percent from the field.

Thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from juniors Courtney Woods and Nicole Orr, the Huskies found themselves down just 16-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Late in the second quarter, the Huskies battled back to bring the game within one, but the Cardinals ended the second quarter on an 11-0 run. staying on top of the Huskies 34-22 heading into the halftime break.

The Huskies kept their fight alive, as they opened up the second half on a 7-0 run.

Senior forward Kelly Smith started the third quarter with a 3-pointer. Two free throws from freshman forward Riley Blackwell, and a layup from Woods brought the Huskies within five points.

With just over six minutes left in the third quarter, the Huskies had the game in reach, but the Cardinals finished out the third quarter on a 22-4 run and led 58-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Huskies trailed by 23 points at the start of the fourth and didn’t make up any ground. NIU shot 7-for-19 from the field in the quarter and missed all three of their shots behind the arc.

The game ended in a final score 72-50 as Ball State topped the Huskies.

Woods finished with a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds.

“As starters, we’re not just playing when we’re on the court,” Woods said. “If I play 35 minutes, the other five minutes are just as important when I’m on the bench cheering on my teammates. They do the same for me every single game.”

The Huskies will look to bounce back in their game against Western Michigan University 6 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.