DeKALB — The women’s basketball team struggled against the Central Michigan Chippewas dominant offense as they fell on the road for the first time since Dec. 11.

The Chippewas (21-6, 13-2 Mid-American Conference) defeated the Huskies 109-86 as NIU records its first MAC road loss of the season.

Central Michigan began firing on all cylinders as they jumped to a 36-12 lead early on, shooting 65 percent in the first quarter. The Huskies, on the other hand, struggled on offense as they began the game shooting 29 percent on 6-for-21 from the field.

“Central Michigan is a very good team, and they were comfortable in the way that they played tonight,” said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen. “We did a better job in the second half, but if we want to be successful we need to make them uncomfortable sooner.” The Huskies (18-8, 11-4 Mid-American Conference) did not score a basket in the last five and a half minutes of the first quarter.

With under three minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Chippewas jumped to a 63-26 lead. Central Michigan went 11-for-19 from behind the arc for 33 total points in the first half. NIU finished the first half 0-for-5 from beyond the three-point line and shot 33 percent from the field.

NIU, which ranks last in the MAC in scoring defense, allowed 72 first half points.

Senior guard Ally Lehman led the Huskies throughout the first half with 10 points on 5-for-15 from the field. Lehman, who was named the MAC West Division Player of the Week, finished the game with 21 points on 10-for-26 from the field.

Despite the large deficit, NIU continued to fight in the second half as they shot 45 percent. The Huskies outscored the Chippewa’s 26-16 in the third quarter as 18 of their points came from inside the paint.

After a jumper made by Lehman with three and a half minutes left in the game, the Huskies cut the once 40-point deficit to 20 points.

Central Michigan coasted for the remainder of the game to a record a 23-point victory. Central Michigan finished shooting 55 percent from the field.

The Huskies look to bounce back 1 p.m. Saturday against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in Ypsilanti, Michigan.