The Huskies fell to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, 94-84, Thursday in Brookings, South Dakota.

Last week, the Huskies fell to Toledo in the Mid-American Conference Championship game, 82-71, and were invited to the WNIT Tournament.

“When [players] get a taste of all the hard work paying off, I think that’s where you build your program into a perennial contender. We want the ability to compete for championships year after year like they have at South Dakota State. Once you give the kids a taste of that and they understand what that feels like, if you can continue to build that culture, you have the opportunity to continue that year after year,” said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen.

Sophomore guard Courtney Woods received the first double-double in NIU tournament play since Leslie Pottinger in 1993 against Georgetown. Woods had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Junior forward Kelly Smith also had a double-double with 19 points of her own.

Senior forward Cassidy Glenn came out on fire to start the game and racked seven points and five rebounds halfway through the first. The Huskies trailed the Jackrabbits 15-9 with just over four minutes remaining in the first. The Huskies trailed South Dakota State by a score of 22-20 to finish the first quarter.

Sophomore guard Mikayla Voigt led the second quarter with eight of the Huskies’ 11 points. The Jackrabbits held onto the lead going into halftime, 45-42. All five Huskie starters had at least six points to end the half.

Lehman was the first Huskie to make it into double-digit scoring with a jumper in the third. The Jackrabbits got an early 10-point lead in the quarter, 54-44. NIU continued to trail at the end of the third, 71-62.

The Huskies went on a 7-0 run, but it was not enough to get the lead, 84-78. The Jackrabbits defeated the Huskies to advance to the second round, 94-84.