DeKALB — The women’s basketball team (12-4, 5-0 Mid-American Conference) is off to its best start since 1993-94 after defeating the University of Toledo Rockets (12-4,3-2 MAC), 77-73.

The Huskies nearly squandered a 17-point lead, but held on to seal their first victory over Toledo since 2007.

NIU was led by Courtney Woods, sophomore guard and forward, and senior guard Ally Lehman, who scored a combined 41 points, including 21 from Woods. This is Woods’s seventh time this season scoring 21 points. 

In addition to Lehman’s 20 points, she had 12 rebounds to record her 11th double-double of the season and 30th double-double of her career. NIU shot 27-for-55 from the field for the game.

Five Huskies scored in double-digits and outrebounded the Rockets, 45-33. The Huskies began the game with a 7-0 run and led by 17 points in the first half in front of 3,758 fans who packed Savage Stadium in Toledo, Ohio. NIU was up 21-13 by the end of the first quarter.

The Huskies pushed their lead even further in the second quarter when they were able to get to the free-throw line. They successfully penetrated the paint to draw fouls and sink free throws. 

Two free throws from Woods gave the Huskies their largest lead of the night with 17 points. 

Toledo attempted to claw its way back into the game, getting it to a two possession game six separate times in the third quarter, but the Huskies ended the third with a six-point lead, 64-58.

The Rockets were able to tie the game at 64 with around eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, but were not able to gain the lead as the Huskies never trailed in the game.

Redshirt senior forward Cassidy Glenn was fouled during a made layup and was able to make the free throw, slowing down the Rockets pace. Glenn finished the night with 11 points.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday against the University of Akron Zips, the Huskies will begin their three-game homestand at the Convocation Center.