DeKALB | When streaks collide, one inevitably always has to end.

Unfortunately for the NIU women’s basketball team, their seven-game home winning streak was the one that met its end when it clashed with No. 18 Bowling Green’s 10-game MAC winning streak.

The Falcons (22-2, 11-0) showed how they earned their lofty national ranking, defeating the Huskies 85-76 at the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.

NIU (15-8, 6-5) did not help itself in the first half, turning the ball over 14 times.

However, with 7:49 left in the first half, the Huskies took a 26-25 lead on a three-pointer by guard Kylie York. Bowling Green responded in convincing fashion, ripping off a 17-8 run to end the half with an eight point lead.

NIU was able to make runs in the second half, but was never able to get close enough to challenge the lead.

“We had a chance to cut the lead down, but it seemed like we would make a little mistake on defense, not covering the cutter or giving up an offensive rebound.” NIU senior guard Mary Basic said. “They’re a good team. You can’t make any little mistakes. They will take advantage of every little mistake.”

Basic scored 18 on 6-11 shooting for the Huskies, but was overshadowed offensively by Stephanie Raymond’s 23 points.

Despite going multiple years without losing a game in the MAC and being ranked No. 18 in the country by the Associated Press, Bowling Green coach Curt Miller claimed many doubted his team’s chances against the Huskies.

“Everyone called this the game we couldn’t win,” Miller said. “Everyone said we couldn’t come here and get the win, and for the first time in a long time, our team felt like a little bit of an underdog.”

The Falcons were led by senior Ali Mann, who scored 23 points while pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds.