Women’s basketball turned to an unlikely hero, sophomore guard Alexis Lindstrom, to take down the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 81-76, in overtime in the first round of the MAC Tournament March 10 in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Lindstrom, who entered the matchup averaging 4.7 points per game, dropped 31 points on 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) shooting from the field. Her 31 points tied the NIU postseason record for points in a game.

Lindstrom drained a MAC Tournament-record nine 3-point field goals on 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) shooting from beyond the arc, after she came into the game in the midst of a zero-for-six slump from downtown. She scored 14 first-half points, nine second-half points and eight points in overtime to help the Huskies advance to the second round.

“What Alexis did was crazy good,” said head coach Kathi Bennett, according to a March 10 news release. “She really had such poise down the stretch and wanted the ball in her hands. She was amazing. In the first half she kept us in it. In the second half she won it for us.”

Lindstrom’s 31 points, 11 field goals, nine 3-point field goals and three assists were single-game career bests for her. She tied her career high with two steals.

With Lindstrom leading the charge, the Huskies had one of their best offensive nights, shooting 30-for-56 (.536) from the floor and posting a season-high 81 points in the overtime victory.

“We really worked to try and find better shots, and it helps when you shoot the ball well,” Bennett said, according to the news release. “For Alexis to do what she did, that changes everything, and it was great job.”