DeKALB | The last time the NIU women’s basketball team lost a game, they responded with a three-game conference win streak.

Coming off their loss Wednesday night at Ball State, the Huskies look to start another streak as they face Akron at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

To do so, NIU will have to get big performances from captains Stephanie Raymond, Kristin Wiener and Mary Basic.

“They are the ones we look for every game,” NIU head coach Carol Owens said. “They understand that they need to be the leaders. Right now we’re more concerned about what we’re doing, not the other team. We just need to get back on track and get fired up.”

The Huskies (11-5, 3-2) will try to avoid falling to .500 in the MAC, while Akron (7-10, 0-5) is still looking for its first victory in conference play this season. Akron’s go-to player, sophomore forward Niki McCoy, is averaging just shy of 14 points per game.

McCoy is most effective when she drives to the basket, and ranks third in the MAC in free throw attempts. She has taken advantage of the charity, shooting 80 percent from the stripe.

“McCoy is their leader,” Owens said. “She can do a lot of things on the floor, and we will need to step up our defense.”

Basic, who has been NIU’s defensive stopper this season and routinely guards the opposition’s leading scorer, will be issued the task of defending McCoy.

Wiener’s inside presence will be key as well, as the Zips boast a tall lineup, and have size they bring off the bench.