Just when the NIU women’s basketball team needed a spark, it got one better: a Cannon.

While guard Shari’ Welton put the finishing touches on the Huskies 60-59 win over Western Illinois, it was guard Terriel Cannon who helped bring life to them during a dismal first half.

By putting Cannon in, NIU coach Carol Owens was hoping to ignite her team into making a run, and that is exactly what she got.

With 3:14 to play in the first half, a 3-pointer by Western Illinois put the Westerwinds on top by nine points. That is when Cannon decided to take over.

The sophomore from Hillside, drilled a 3-pointer and on the ensuing possession got a steal and went the length of the court to turn it into two points with a layup.

“Cannon came in and gave us a huge spark,” Owens said. “We were trying to find someone to come in and give us offense and defense and she did it.”

Cannon wasn’t done there. On the next possession she got another steal which turned into two points via a layup by Welton.

“The key for me is defense more than anything,” Cannon said. “That’s what I need to work on the most, just like coach tells me.”

A two-point basket by senior Whitney Lowe completed the NIU comeback and pulled the Huskies even with Western Illinois.

During the last three minutes of the half, NIU turned a nine-point deficit into a five-point halftime lead, and was key in giving it the pivotal run it needed to stay in the game during the second half.

“We backed off at the end of the first half,” WIU coach Leslie Crane said. “It was very tough for us. There are things are kids have got to learn.”

Cannon’s defense was contagious as NIU finished the game with a season-high 12 steals.