The NIU women’s basketball team had an upset in mind heading into Wednesday’s MAC quarterfinal game against top-seeded Bowling Green in Cleveland.

But having it in mind wasn’t enough, as the Huskies lost to No. 24 BG 73-61.

“Obviously we are disappointed,” NIU coach Carol Owens said. “We played extremely well and very hard but just came up a little short.”

NIU (12-17 overall, 7-10 MAC) started the first half up 3-0 after the Falcons missed their first three shots, but BG (26-2, 17-0) caught up quickly and the teams traded points on the ensuing possessions.

Both teams continued to shoot poorly throughout the half, with the Huskies shooting 30 percent on 8 of 26 from the field.

The Huskies held the second-ranked scoring offense and shooting team in the MAC to 6 of 32 in the first half.

NIU held first-team All-MAC selection Ali Mann to 0 for 9 shooting in the half.

BG’s poor shooting and 19 first-half turnovers combined to give the Huskies an 18-16 first half lead.

With the game tied three minutes into the second half, BG found its touch and went on a 22-4 run after a Mann jumper, going up 50-36 with less than nine minutes left in the game.

Mann found her touch, scoring all of her 12 points in the second half and added 15 rebounds.

“It was just a matter of time with a team like [BG] to hold them to 18-percent shooting in the first half,” Owens said.

NIU wasn’t able to form a run of its own, only cutting Bowling Green’s lead to nine points with three and a half minutes left.

Despite the Huskies’ 43 points in the second half, they couldn’t match Bowling Green’s 57.

Leading the way for NIU was second team All-MAC selection Stephanie Raymond, who had 24 points and four steals.

All-MAC honorable mention pick Kristin Wiener added 12 points on six rebounds for the Huskies.

“Our goal was to come here and we accomplished that,” Raymond said. “We couldn’t keep a lead and this makes us want to work harder for next year.”