With a struggling economy, many are seeking savings, deals and bargains.

So it’s no surprise that the NIU women’s basketball team is doing its part to give out freebies as the Huskies beat Eastern Michigan, 69-62, in overtime Saturday.

For the first time in school history, NIU (8-9 overall, 3-1 MAC) played in back-to-back overtime games. Saturday’s game marks the third overtime of the season for the Huskies who are now 3-0 in games that go beyond regulation.

“Overtime is like: ‘Oh my god it’s overtime. What do we do?'” NIU center Ebony Ellis said. “But now we know what we have to do, and we know how to win in overtime.”

Ellis was NIU’s leading rebounder with nine boards on the night. She was also one of four Huskies to provide a double-digit point performance. The center chipped in 13 points, as did guard Jessie Wilcox and forward Aileen Rossouw. NIU was led in scoring by guard Kylie York, who put up 15 as she went 4-for-9 from behind the arc.

Rossouw and Ellis proved to be crucial for NIU down the stretch. The Eagles (4-12, 0-4) played a pressure defense. In half-court situations, EMU used a trap defense which NIU struggled against.

The Huskies’ inside players used aggressive moves, however, to beat the pressure. Rossouw showcased this effort, scoring the game-tying bucket on a forceful move in the paint.

EMU coach AnnMarie Gilbert said preparing against the Huskies is very difficult because they present a balanced attack. Teams can focus on stopping guards such as Wilcox and York but then risk inside players such as Ellis and Rossouw taking over the game.

“You’ve got to pick your poison,” Gilbert said. “If you focus on York and Ellis, Wilcox might go off. If you focus on Wilcox and Ellis, York might go off. They have a balanced attack.”

After using an inside presence to get to overtime, Wilcox and York took control. In the extra five minutes, Wilcox scored eight points, nabbed two rebounds and dished out two assists. The senior was also a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

York provided the Huskies with an overtime boost, hitting one of her four three-pointers to start off the period.

“When we went in overtime, we talked about this is what we do best,” said NIU coach Carol Owens. “It’s leadership; it’s experience; that as you go into overtime, Jessie [Wilcox], Kylie [York], Aileen [Rossouw] and Shari’ [Welton] lead the way.”