The NIU women’s basketball team had mixed results in its two games over Thanksgiving break.

On Tuesday, the Huskies (4-2) concluded their five game road trip by losing to Temple (2-3), 79-56.

At the conclusion of the first half, the Owls put NIU in a 40-33 deficit. Once the second half started, Temple came out firing offensively.

The Owls shot 57.7 percent from the field while the Huskies struggled to knock down their own shots, shooting 22.7 percent.

“Offensively, we have to adjust,” NIU head coach Kathi Bennett said. “Defensively, that’s got to be consistent, that’s got to be who we are.”

The senior duo of Marke Freeman and Ebony Ellis played strongly in the Huskies’ second loss of the season.

Freeman led the way with 21 points, four rebounds and three assists while Ellis posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards.

“Ebony is one of the best rebounders I’ve ever coached,” Bennett said. “She just goes after it.”

Four days later, NIU hosted their home opener against Chicago State (1-3) and wouldn’t disappoint as the Huskies prevailed with a 68-64 victory.

Freeman was just pleased to play in front of a home crowd, and not on the road where the Huskies have played five of their first six games of the season.

Freeman followed up with another strong outing, pouring in 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

The Huskies built a 41-29 lead in the first half but the Cougars surged with 14-3 run in the second half tying the game up at 53.

“We kind of broke down,” Bennett said of NIU’s defensive letdowns in the second half. “Our defense was pretty porous and we didn’t get back a couple times.”

Chicago State exchanged baskets with the Huskies in the dwindling minutes of the game.

The scoring trade-off would end after Freeman nailed a jumper with less than two minutes left, and NIU came up with a turnover on the Cougars’ ensuing possession.

From there, Chicago State put the Huskies at free throw line, where they hit five-of-six attempts to secure the victory.

Regardless of the mishaps and letdowns on defense, the Huskies won’t complain when they come out with a victory.

“You definitely need to find a way to win and that’s been something we’ve done in close games,” Bennett said.