Northern Illinois (10-14 overall, 6-5 MAC West) vs. Eastern Michigan (15-11, 9-5)

11 a.m. Saturday at the Convocation center

NIU Coach’s Take

Coming off of an emotional victory in NIU’s first game back, Huskies head coach Carol Owens knows her team has to continue the hard-work ethic they have put forward since their return.

“I think we have to be ready for the game and continue to be aggressive,” Owens said. “Our goal is to put two halves together and continue to rebound as well as we’re doing.”

EMU Coach’s Take

Eastern Michigan head coach AnnMarie Gilbert was not available for comment about the game.

NIU’s Last Game

The Huskies pulled out a last-second victory Wednesday night against Western Michigan, 67-65, in their first game since Feb. 13.

Guard Jessie Wilcox hit the eventual game-winning shot from around the free-throw line with 16 seconds left in the game. Forward Whitney Lowe led the Huskies with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.

EMU’s Last Game

EMU pulled out a last-minute, 58-57 victory over Toledo on the road. Four EMU players posted double digits in scoring in the contest.

Freshman guard Cassie Schrock recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while center Colleen Russell notched 13 points.

NIU Key Player

Whitney Lowe is coming off an offensive explosion against Western Michigan, putting up 22 points and pulling down 10 boards in the Huskies win.

Lowe is averaging 19 points and 7.3 rebounds over NIU’s last three games.

EMU Key Player

Alyssa Pittman is leading the Eagles in scoring with 12.7 points per game, while only starting in 16 of EMU’s 26 games.

She is a threat from the outside, shooting .390 from behind the arc.

NIU Vital Stat

The Huskies’ inside game will prove to be important against WMU and its zone defense.

“I think [our inside game] is very important,” Owens said. “Whitney Lowe is versatile on the inside and the outside, and [the inside game] has come along for us.”

EMU Vital Stat

The Eagles are second in the MAC in scoring defense, only allowing 61.7 points per game.

Their zone defense creates problems for opponents and makes teams rely on their outside shooting.