It was a thrilling spectacle in the Convocation Center Wednesday night, as NIU women’s basketball was able to get back on the right side of .500 in MAC play after besting the Western Michigan Broncos in overtime, 71-65.

The Huskies (7-9 overall, 2-1 MAC) used a late-game push from senior guard Jessie Wilcox and redshirt sophomore Marke Freeman to overcome the Broncos (4-12, 0-3).

After passing up a layup at the end of regulation, Wilcox hit a three-pointer to open overtime that took away all the momentum the Broncos had built up.

“Opening up with a bucket by anyone was a real good momentum changer and way to start overtime,” Wilcox said.

The Broncos were noticeably less enthusiastic after Wilcox’s jumper.

“It’s deflating a little bit,” said Western Michigan head coach Tasha McDowell. “We tell them to play one possession at a time. We continued to fight, but just didn’t have enough there at the end.”

Wilcox led the Huskies with 15 points, seven of which came in overtime. Freeman also scored eight of her 10 points in the extra period.

NIU jumped out to a five-point lead at the start of overtime after the Wilcox three and a Freeman field goal put them up 60-55 with 4:03 remaining. WMU senior Tiera DeLaHoussaye would not be denied, however, as she closed it to three with 2:30 remaining.

The score was DeLaHoussaye’s ninth straight, as she was key in tying the game up at the end of regulation, after the Huskies had gone on a 13-3 run.

DeLaHoussaye led all scorers in the game, tallying a career-high 28 points.

“Actually, our plan was not to let her get 28 points tonight,” said NIU head coach Carol Owens. “She’s got the ball in her hands 80 percent of the time. They have plays that are designed for her. This year she’s hitting threes where she never has, but they need her to score to be successful.”