Northern Illinois (10-16 overall, 6-7 MAC West) vs. Ball State (14-14, 10-5)

Coach’s take

NIU

“Ball State is another really good offensive team,” NIU coach Carol Owens said.

“They are a team that likes to go in transition. Porchia Green – she’s a driver and the leader of that team. We have to play good defense.”

BSU

Acting head coach Lisa McDonald could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

“We had great starts and finishes to both halves as we turned in a great all-around effort on both ends of the floor,” McDonald said after a win over Western Michigan Saturday. “We are playing some of our best basketball at the right time of the year.”

Last Game

NIU

The Huskies suffered a 72-68 loss to Ohio in their final home game Monday night. Trailing by 14 with 13 minutes left, NIU mounted a 10-2 run, but it was not enough to get the win.

Forward Whitney Lowe scored a team-high 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the loss.

BSU

The Cardinals posted a 74-69 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday. The win clinches a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament for the Cardinals.

Key Player

NIU

Lowe, a senior, has been performing well of late. The senior scored 58 points and grabbed 29 rebounds in the Huskies’ last three games.

BSU

Guard Audrey McDonald is coming off a career performance Saturday afternoon. The sophomore scored a career-high 27 points while setting a school-record with nine three-pointers. Her nine treys also tie the MAC record in conference games.

Vital Stat

NIU

NIU’s last few games have all been close, but the Huskies continue to struggle closing out games. NIU struggled from behind the free-throw line its last time out. The Huskies shot 9-16 in the second half.

“Any team we’ve faced this year we’ve had our opportunities to win the game,” Owens said.

“We have to go into their place confident and ready for play for 40 minutes. We’re going to go into their place thinking we can win.”

BSU

BSU has title hopes on the line, as a win tonight would clinch a second-straight MAC West Championship.