This time it counts.

Now that the women’s basketball team has had a chance to work out its kinks in an exhibition game, the Huskies get a chance to put a W in the win column tonight at home when they take on Bradley at 7 p.m.

NIU showed signs of life in its preseason bout against Robert Morris College, particularly in the rebounding category. The Huskies out-rebounded RMC 56-28, led by freshmen Ebony Ellis and Mauvolyene Adams who combined for 22 boards.

“Ebony and Mauvolyene rebounded the ball real well,” head coach Carol Owens said. “We’re going to have to do much of the same against a taller team in Bradley.”

Being so early in the season, it is tough to scout teams, meaning the Huskies have to focus on their side of the court.

“We want to get the best shot possible on every possession,” Owens said. “That means we have to get different looks and go into the post.”

The Braves won both of their exhibition games and seems to have found a go-to player in forward Kelly Krumwiede who has led the team in both points and rebounds in the preseason.

Krumwiede averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds in the exhibition.

NIU also found a similar-type of player in Ellis, who scored 11 points and pulled down 12 boards in her last game.

“We know Bradley is usually a good team and being so early we are more concerned with ourselves,” NIU guard Tara Michels said. “Rebounding was huge for us last game. It’s going to be good to see how we can do against a bigger team now.”

While the Huskies didn’t shoot well against Robert Morris, they still made it clear that they will be a big three-point shooting team when they have the chance.

“We’ve got a lot of players that can shoot well,” Owens said. “If we have open looks we are going to take them.”

One thing Bradley has is experience. The Braves have four seniors on the team compared to NIU’s one.