The women’s basketball team is set to continue MAC play against Bowling Green this Saturday at the Convocation Center.

The Huskies (7-16, 2-8 MAC) look to secure a third straight MAC win against Bowling Green (15-8, 6-4 MAC).

The small but exciting two-game win streak comes at an interesting time with the team having to rally past senior forward Satavia Taylor’s season-ending injury. The Huskies have managed to average 62.5 points per game, despite losing one of their best shooters in Taylor. The team has also scored more efficiently inside, scoring 50 points in the paint in their last two games. Both wins have come on the road during a stretch in which the Huskies have to play five of the regular season’s last eight games on the opposition’s court. With the first two road games of this stretch in the books, the Huskies can aim for their first home win since beating Eastern Illinois Dec. 12.

To wi,n the Huskies will have to get around a Falcons defense that is ranked second in the MAC in points allowed. The Falcons have been consistent, only losing two games in a row once this season. Senior guard Chrissy Steffen leads the Falcons’ offense with 11.7 points per game. Junior Forward Alexis Rogers follows suit with 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Bowling Green has had success on the road this season, winning seven of 10. The Falcons have won two of their last three games, with their loss to Western Michigan coming by one point.

The Huskies have also won two of their last three. Sophomore point guard Amanda Corral led the Huskies, averaging 19 points in the two wins. Junior guard Ashley Sneed has had 13 points in each of the last two games, shooting six for eight against Ohio. With senior forward Taylor out, Sneed looks to help the Huskies score.

“We knew that we needed someone else to step up besides Amanda [Corral] and Jenna [Thorp] in scoring,” Sneed said. “I’ve been in the gym shooting more, getting my confidence up with my coaches and teammates.”

Redshirt sophomore forward Thorp has been another key asset in the Huskies’ first MAC wins of the season. Known for her energy on the court, Thorp leads the team in rebounding, averaging 4.7 per game. She has averaged 7.6 rebounds and 11 points in her last three games. As a player on a team that prides itself on its defense, Thorp looks for the defense to set up the offense.

“If we don’t have our defense and aggression after loose balls then our offense never seems to come,” Thorp said. “Showing now what we could actually do all along: Be more aggressive, defense runs offense.”

The Huskies have held teams to 58.2 points per game and are currently ranked third in the MAC defensively. The last time the Huskies faced a top-ranked defensive team, the game came down to the final shot as NIU lost to Toledo, 42-44, in a defensive battle. That was before this recent run, where the Huskies have outscored their last two opponents by a combined 26 points.