While many people were enjoying a tryptophan-induced stupor for their holiday break, NIU women’s basketball had no time to laze around.

Thanksgiving was bracketed by losses for the Huskies (2-3), first to Bradley (4-2) and then to Illinois State (2-2) 50-45 and 81-62, respectively.

The game against Bradley presented an interesting match-up, as eight of the 14 members of their team were 5’10” or taller. Bradley also came into the game leading its conference in opponents points-per-game.

The game started off with the Braves firing three’s, taking 12 in the first half alone, making four. After the first half, NIU found itself down by six, 24-18.

The drama unfolded in the second half as NIU freshman Amanda Corral attempted to grab the win on her own. Four minutes into the second half, Corral hit a three to get within four.

Following much back and forth action, with just over two minutes left in the game, Corral hit another three to tie the game at 42.

Following one free throw from Bradley, Corral hit yet another three to take the lead 45-43 with 1:45 left.

Junior and Elgin native Katie Yohn hit a three for Bradley to take the lead 46-45.

NIU had two chances to tie after a Bradley field goal to make it 48-45. Corral took a three point attempt with 15 seconds left that hit rim. The Huskies got an offensive rebound and allowed Jenna Thorp to take a three, which also missed.

“I give them a lot of credit; I know they were one player down,” said Bradley women’s basketball coach Paula Buscher. “They had a lot of players step up. They didn’t break when we had a lead on them, which shows their resiliency.”

Corral had the chance to tie the game with her shot late in the game. She had gone 0-8 in the first half but came back in the second half to go 3-3 from the arc and get NIU back in the game.

“I’m sure anyone could have taken it, but towards the end I felt that I was in rhythm and I was confident in my shooting.” Corral said.

Alicia Johnson set a career high in points with 11 in the contest, while Yohn had the game-high 16.

On Saturday against Illinois State, NIU was in a hole immediately as the Redbirds put up 17 points before the Huskies made their first field goal.

The Red Birds shot 12-18 from the arc in the game, while NIU had a season-high 30 points in the paint, but only eight free throw attempts.

For Illinois State, Candace Sykes and Katie Broadway both scored 20 points while both going 4-5 from the behind the arc.

For NIU, sophomore Ashley Sneed had a career-high 14 points, freshman Natecia Augusta also set a career high as she scored 12 points in her first game since the season opener.

“I think we’re going to get better,” said NIU head women’s basketball coach Kathi Bennett. “Our young kids got a ton of playing time, so that’s always a positive.”