Junior guard Amanda Corral is the definition of a do-it-all player.

Corral, who reached the 1,000-point plateau Saturday at the Convocation Center against Western Michigan, has the ability to score at will, dish out assists, grab rebounds, disrupt the passing lanes and even elevate for an occasional block. She leads the team in minutes per game played (31.6) and is the only Huskie to have started in all 24 games this season.

Corral, a 5-foot-6 guard from Hobart, Ind., was the first player head coach Kathi Bennett recruited. Bennett said she knew she wanted to bring Corral to NIU the minute she saw her play.

“I noticed her energy,” Bennett said. “She’s just tough. … I think Amanda just shows incredible toughness. She never gets tired. She just goes and goes and goes. She’s kind of relentless that way. I think she’s a very unique player and does so much for us.”

Corral filled in at point guard her first two seasons after starter Danny Pulliam suffered season-ending injuries early on in each season. Last season, she led the Huskies in points (12.7), rebounds (5.0) and assists (2.1) per game.

She said having played point guard has helped her become a more complete player this season in her move back to shooting guard, her natural position.

“My ball handling wasn’t very good coming in, so I think [playing point guard] has really helped me shape how I play,” Corral said. “I can handle pressure a lot better than I did. I couldn’t even pass with my left hand when I came in my freshman year. Being point guard, you have to be able to use both hands.”

Corral said having Pulliam back at point guard has helped her thrive on the offensive end, where she leads the team with a 14.1 point-per-game average.

“It helps my shot,” Corral said. “I can be more aggressive. Danny’s a good point guard. She facilities and definitely hits the open man. I think it’s easier for me to get open shots with her in the game instead of creating all my shots on my own, like I did in the past.”

She has scored 20 or more points six times this season, including a career-high 30 points vs. Eastern Michigan Jan. 12 at the Convocation Center.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Pulliam said. “I think Amanda’s a really special player. On any given night she can score as many points as … she wants to. I know that she puts the work in, and she does what it takes to be the best. I think it definitely shows.”

In addition to Corral being the team’s offensive leader, Bennett said she takes for granted just how good Corral is on the defensive end. She said Corral, who almost always draws the assignment of defending the opposition’s top offensive player, is “definitely” the Huskies’ best defender and “arguably” one of the best defenders in the MAC.

“She works,” Bennett said. “There’s not a secret to being a great defender. I just think she works. She really never quits. She doesn’t give up. She’s always hopping down. It’s just a mindset. And I think she’s got the right mindset.”