The last time the Huskies won was Dec. 29 in a 69-38 blowout against Norfolk State.

In the last month, the Huskies (5-14, 0-6 MAC) have struggled to capitalize on their strong defensive performances. Inconsistent offense is the biggest reason NIU has lost seven straight games. The Huskies are last in the conference in offensive rebounds, second to last in assist to turnover ratio at .6 and are currently ninth in points per game. The team prides itself on defense and can be pleased that it is fourth in points allowed, holding teams to 58.3 points per game.

In order to make the most of this 10-game stretch, the Huskies need to get wins on the road. Five of the team’s next eight games are on the road where the Huskies have only been able to come away with one win in nine games.

NIU has faced some of the best teams in the MAC in its last seven games; despite strong defensive performances against teams like first-place Toledo, the Huskies have not been able to grab that elusive conference win. NIU head coach Kathi Bennett knows her team is capable of turning things around.

“I think we’ve been improving and have proven that against the more difficult teams in the league,” Bennett said. “If we could have done that against teams like Ball State and Akron we would have been in a different spot.”

The Huskies have shown signs of offensive efficiency but haven’t been able to score consistently in the paint. Sophomore point guard Amanda Corral leads the team with 13 points per game and, with senior forward Satavia Taylor, has carried the offense throughout most of the season. Bennett wants to get more consistency out of the front court in these next ten games.

“We’ve been getting good contributions from Amanda Corral and Satavia Taylor but we are still looking for that third scorer,” Bennett said. “We really improve when Jada Buggs or Natecia Augusta and McKenzie Hoelmenn play well. That third inside scorer makes us a different team.”

The three forwards have anchored this tough defensive team and have proven that when they succeed in the paint, so do the rest of the Huskies’ shooters. Corral and Taylor get more open looks when the Huskies get the ball inside.

NIU has ten games to go before the MAC tournament and all of them are against MAC opponents. The Huskies look to end their seven-game skid against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-15, 2-4 MAC) Thursday. The Eagles are 1-8 at home this season.