There are losses, and then there are even tougher losses. Saturday’s game can be lumped into the latter category.

The NIU women’s basketball team battled against visiting Ball State, but fell short, losing 84-78.

“We played a very good game, but came up short in the end,” said NIU head coach Carol Owens.

The Huskies (4-11 overall, 0-2 MAC) fell victim to big runs and untimely droughts throughout the game.

A back-and-forth first half had NIU ahead 36-31 with 4:11 left in the half. The Huskies’ offense temporarily shut down, not scoring another point in the span. This drought allowed the Cardinals (6-9, 2-0) to take a 38-36 lead into halftime.

While NIU kept it close, BSU dominated down low, outscoring the Huskies in the paint 22-10 in the first half.

“I think their inside game is their strength,” Owens said.

NIU’s dormant offense suddenly came to life at the start of the second half. The Huskies opened the final 20 minutes on a 19-5 run.

“We were very excited to get on that run to open the second half,” said guard Kylie York. “We gave them the bigger run, and couldn’t stop it in the end.”

With NIU leading 55-43, BSU responded with a 20-5 run of its own. The Cardinals took a 63-60 lead.

“The key to the game was going to be who could respond to the runs and challenges,” said BSU acting head coach Lisa McDonald. Cardinals head coach Tracy Roller missed the contest due to mononucleosis.

With 22 seconds left in the game, BSU forward Julie DeMuth hit a jumper to put the Cardinals up for good.

“We show sparks of coming together and playing really good,” said NIU guard Jessie Wilcox.

But even with the sparks of offense, BSU’s inside game created turmoil in the second half, allowing the Cardinals to shoot 6-7 from the three point line.

“We didn’t defend the ball screen very well, and it creates a collapse and leaves an opening,” Owens said.

Forward Whitney Lowe led the Huskies with 24 points.